Note: Plant is not my OC, they belong to Exhausted Plant on Twitter (https://twitter.com/Exhausted_Plant) they gave me full permission to use them and please visit their etsy as well (https://www.etsy.com/shop/exhaustedplant/?etsrc=sdt)
Out of all the rings in hell Sloth was considered one of the nicest however for Striker it was far too pink, even the fucking crappy motel room he was staying in was bubble gum pink!
âI canât wait ta get the fuck outta here,â Striker groused into his phone.
âHa-ha, come now it canât be that bad,â Calus chuckled on the other end.
âMy eyes are already burninâ from this place,â Striker continued.
âWell, youâre almost done with the job, right? Then you can come home,â Calus encouraged still lightly chuckling.
âYeah, tracked him down now just gotta take care of the bastard,â Striker confirmed with a huff.
âAlright, Iâll talk to you tomorrow then,â Calus concluded with a warm smile evident in his voice.
âYep, talk to Ya tomorrow,â Striker confirmed with a smile of his own.
After hanging up the phone Striker went about meticulously planning how he was going to handle the assassination. Evening brought some relief from the bright colors of Sloth allowing Striker to work a little more efficiently, riding to the outskirts of Slothâs main city where heâd tracked down his current target. An abandoned rundown house with two hounds sat outside the front door likely guarding Strikerâs real target sat in the middle of some nowhere field making it power for the course. Settling on a raised hill not far from the decrepit building Striker slung his gun case from over his shoulder to pull out the sniper rifle from within, laying on his stomach to take aim at the first hell hound. Striker proved his prowess with a firearm by taking out the first hound unfortunately as predicted the second was instantly put on guard making it too difficult for Striker to get a proper beat before the he disappeared into the house. Giving a huff Striker put away his rifle then placed it on bombproof before skulking his way to the house and around the back where he located a large hole allowing him to slip through into an empty decaying room. Wrinkling his nose at the smell of mildew Striker pulled his bandana over his snout before proceeding with revolver drawn. Peering around the corner Striker caught sight of the imp heâd been sent to kill in the room across the hallway conversing with the hound from outside, panic clear on their features.
Aiming carefully Striker was just about to take a shot when he felt someone behind him prompting the pale imp to spin around, expression shifting to surprised horror as he saw a third hell hound with his paw raised. The hound brought his paw down causing his claws to dig deep into Strikerâs side resulting in a cry of agony, but he managed to keep his composure just enough to get off a shot in the direction of the target, taking out the second hell hound whoâd been standing with said target. Snarling Striker pressed his back to the nearest wall with a hand clamped around his now bleeding side, sizing up the third hound who was standing too close to get a shot off cleanly. Sneakily Striker pulled a knife from his belt using his tail while waiting for the hound to make his move, fortunately after a few moments the hound didnât disappoint. The hound lunged at Striker with claws and teeth bared only to yelp as he came to a sudden stop, Striker grunting as he plunged the blade into the houndsâ chest with a twist to finish him off. Cursing under his breath Striker relied on his adrenaline to take off after the imp heâd been sent to kill, cocking his pistol as he easily caught up to the short slum lord just outside the house clambering into his fancy car. Taking a breath to steady his hand Striker took aim then shot through the passenger side window straight through the impâs head. Holstering his pistol Striker quickly got his pictures for his client unfortunately his adrenaline was wearing thin resulting in the pain from his wound getting stronger as he limped off to find Bombproof. Upon finding his steed Striker managed to mount Bombproof despite his growing agony, directing the hell steed towards the city where he hoped to either get back to his motel room where he could treat his wound or find a doctor whoâd be willing to work on him anonymously. Strikerâs vision began to darken around the edges as he struggled to stay conscious, blood soaking his entire side from the claw wounds left from the hell hound. Just as the city limits came into view the pain and blood loss won out causing Striker to fall unconscious unfortunately this also caused him to fall off bombproof resulting in a sickening crack from his wrist.
Bombproof stopped immediately with a surprised neigh followed by a series of concerned nickers as he moved to Strikerâs side, nudging Striker with his nose only to receive no response. Bombproof glanced around clearly seeking help for his injured rider however upon realizing no one was around the hell steed gently picked Striker up by the back of his jacket in hopes of taking him somewhere for help.
Several scattered buildings littered the outskirts of Slothsâ main city amongst which was a small pharmacy where a short crimson shark/imp hybrid scurried around trying to stalk shelves. Clambering on to a step stool she started putting bottles filled with pills away on one of the upper shelves, meticulously sorting them when a sudden scream from outside startled them instantly resulting in all the bottles falling to the floor. Fortunately, none of the bottles had spilled or broken but it was still annoying, giving an irritated sigh she climbed carefully down to start picking up the mess of bottles which she placed in a bin for sorting later before going outside to see what had happened. Plant as her name tag stated let out a gasp, hands flying up to cover her snout at the sight that lay just feet from the pharmacyâs front door, laying in the middle of the street with a massive hell steed standing protectively over him was a pale imp covered in blood. Plantâs good-natured instincts propelled her forwards to kneel beside the imp revealing the blood was coming from his right side however that wasnât all she discovered, this imp had several weapons attached to his belt including two revolvers and a sheath for a knife which was missing. Plant hesitated on helping the imp after all he could mean trouble and she wasnât equipped for trouble being just a pharmacy assistant, on the other hand they could take him to the hospital within the city however what was to say he wouldnât be arrested, escape then come after her for doing that. Plant was yanked from her thoughts as the pale imp released a soft pained moan, his face contorted in agony despite being unconscious with sweat rolling down his features.
A sympathetic expression crossed the hybrids features as she looked upon the pale imp, gentle soul overriding their anxious nature prompting her to grab the imp under his arms and haul his limp form into the back of the pharmacy where a couple simple treatment rooms resided. A small struggle got the pale imp on the treatment table and once plant got his jacket as well as his shirt off, she could finally get to work on treating him properly.
Calus awoke to the sun of imp city filtering through the curtains of his bedroom window, giving a massive yawn before sitting up. Glancing at his phone Calus found it a little unusual that Striker hadnât at least sent him a text saying heâd completed his job yet, but it wasnât too abnormal after all if Striker was tired afterwards, he might have just fallen asleep. Shrugging it off Calus pushed off the bed to get about his day believing that Striker would contact him later on as he always didâŚexcept he didnât, evening was already starting to set in when Calus realized Striker hadnât contacted him yet. Concern was beginning to churn Calusâ stomach, furrowing his brow the Dracony sent a series of text messages over the next couple hours to no avail. Concern giving way to full on worry now Calus tried to locate Strikerâs phone by using the tracker theyâd both agreed to install in their phones in case of emergency however the tracker said that either Strikerâs phone was turned off or something had happened to the tracker either way that didnât bode well. Finished with waiting the Dracony quickly packed himself up to hit the road on Aurora headed for Strikerâs last location namely Sloth.
Evening in Sloth warmed the usual bright pastel colors creating a calming effect over the ring, Plant breathed out while swiping her arm across her sweaty forehead. The pale imp sheâd been working on for hours was finally in a semi stable state laying on the treatment table now stained with his black blood. In addition to the claw wounds on his right side the imp also had a broken wrist however the biggest problem was the massive amount of blood heâd lost leaving him extremely anemic, luckily the pharmacy had a small stock of blood bags in the back. Yawning Plant decided there wasnât anything further she could do for the unusual visitor, his phone was dead thus there was no way to find out who he was until he woke up thus, they proceeded to finish up their tasks around the pharmacy for the evening including closing up shop. Normally Plant would head home once the pharmacy was closed up unfortunately she couldnât leave her new guest alone as he needed to be monitored thus Plant dug out some blankets and a pillow from the stock area, set herself up in the treatment room next to the pale imp, fed the hell steed that heâd apparently come with then proceeded to get some shut eye.
Calus made it to Sloth just as the sun was rising, concern weighing heavily on him for his mate as he searched the city for the imp. Part of the way through Aurora perked to a scent, moving of her own accord towards the outer limits of the city and seeing as the hell horse hadnât steered Calus astray in the past, he allowed her to lead him. Aurora was validated when in the distance a familiar form started coming into view, bombproof stood outside a pastel purple building with the word âPharmacyâ above it in giant white letters. Bombproof nickered happily upon noticing Aurora as well as Calus moving towards him, nuzzling with Aurora while Calus dismounted the female hell horse.
âBombproof, hey boy. Whereâs StriâŚshit!â Calusâ demeanor swiftly dropped when he noticed a patch of black blood staining the concrete a short distance from the pharmacy.
Moving briskly to the blood patch Calus took a knee to examine it, swiping his fingers across the dried patch. Snarling in aggravated concern Calus stood back up to look around the area only to hear Bombproof whinnying promptly getting his attention. The large male hell steed gently pressed his muzzle against the glass doors of the pharmacy peeking Calusâ curiosity, glancing around Calus cocked a brow at what looked like a swipe of black blood on the ground leading into the pharmacy. Reading the âhoursâ sign on the door it said that the pharmacy would be opening in an hour meaning if nothing else Calus could ask to see if anyone had seen Striker.
Plant startled at the sound of their phone going off, quickly silencing it with a substantial yawn. Sitting up Plant rubbed their eyes, still sleepy from being up most the night checking on the imp in the treatment room next to hers. Slowly walking out into the main area of the pharmacy Plant was immediately surprised to see a large figure sitting on the curb outside the glass windows of the pharmacy along with a beautiful green colored hell steed standing next to the previous red one. Nervously Plant approached the doors eliciting an acknowledging nicker from both hell steeds which prompted the figure to look over his shoulder revealing a hellion Plant was unfamiliar with. Nervously Plant got the doors open apparently prompting the figure to stand up, towering over the shorter hybrid making her even more nervous.
âUhâŚumâŚmay I help you?â Plant nervously asked, wringing her hands in front of herself.
âIâm hoping so, Iâm looking for someone,â The figure inquired, tone smooth and gentle much to Plantsâ surprise.
âOh? I-I donât know if I can helpâŚbut I can try,â Plant stammered out.
âThatâs alright, the hell steed here with the orange flames, you wouldnât happen to have seen the imp he belongs too?â The figure asked gesturing towards the hell steed Plant had been looking after.
âWait! You know the pale imp?â Plant questioned, she was shocked to hear this tall hell being knew her latest guest after all what were the chances. Â
âSo, you have seen him! Where did he go?â The figure raised his voice a little in excitement causing Plant to recoil a little.
âY-yesâŚâ Plant stammered, voice barely above a whisper as her tail coiled around her legs.
âHmm, forgive me. I didnât mean to frighten you. My nameâs Calus, please if you have any information on the imp Iâd appreciate if youâd tell me,â Calus offered, lowering his tone while taking a step back, hand moving to his chest as he introduced himself.
âOhâŚumâŚitâs okay, Iâm just a littleâŚnervous thatâs all. Iâm Plant and the imp is in the back actually,â Plant revealed, smiling at the gentle nature of Calus.
âReally, could you please show me to him?â Calus pleaded trying to keep his voice low so as to not frighten or startle the nervous little hybrid. Â
Plant nodded in confirmation then guided Calus into the back of the pharmacy where the treatment room held the pale imp. Upon entering the room Calusâ expression twisted into one of concerned anguish as he hurried past Plant to the impâs side.
âStriker! Striker!? Babe, can you hear me?â Calus asked in rapid succession, hand moving to cup the impâs cheek.
âIâŚfound him outsideâŚthere are some nasty claw marks on his right side and his left wrist is brokenâŚI did what I could,â Plant nervously stated moving a little further into the room. The Dracony looked from Plant to Strikerâs bandaged side then back with a small smile of appreciation.
âThank you, his name is Striker. Youâve done a great job, I never did get your name,â Calus stated.
âOh, my nameâs Plant. Iâm just glad I could help, he lost a lot of blood,â Plant introduced, gesturing towards the IV hanging beside Striker filled with blood.
âI see, pleasure to meet you. Iâm going to have a look at the wounds,â Calus stated with a small nod towards Plant before moving to start undoing the bandages from Strikerâs torso.
âNo problem. Soooo, what kind of hellion are you anyway?â Plant inquired mostly looking to fill the silence while Calus worked to reveal the claw marks on Strikerâs side.
âHmm, Iâm a Dracony,â Calus replied simply, placing the bandages on the counter against the left-hand wall.
âAâŚDracony? Iâve never heard of that,â Plant confessed.
âReally? Thatâs refreshing, in my opinion too many people know what a Dracony is,â Calus chuckled, analyzing Strikerâs wounds.
âSeriously? Are DraconyâŚspecial or something?â Plant continued to quarry.
âHa-ha, you could say that. We were the first royal demons in hell,â Calus revealed. Plant went wide eyed at this revelation, stunned that Calus had revealed such a thing so casually as if he were listing off his favorite ice cream flavor.  Â
âThe firstâŚroyalsâŚholy shit! Iâm so sorry, should I bow, should curtsyâŚ? Do you want me to get you something, anything!?â Plant rambled in rapid succession in a panicked tone.
âNo, itâs alright. You can relax, my kin have been extinct for a while now all that remains is the legacy,â Calus chuckled again as he assured Plant there was no need to fuss.
âHuh? Extinct? Does that mean youâreâŚâ Plant trailed off once sheâd calmed down a bit.
âYes, Iâm the last of my kind, but enough about that now Iâm going to heal Striker and I could use a couple things, would you mind?â Calus retorted.
âUm, yeahâŚI can absolutely get you whatever you need,â Plant confirmed with a big grin on her face.  Â
âAlright, could you get me a couple wash cloths and a bowl of warm water?â Calus asked, shrugging off his duster to throw onto the chair in the corner of the room.
âNo problem-o,â Plant declared, skittering off to the other treatment room aka their room from last night. Â
Gently Calus went about removing the few stitches Plant had used to secure the wounds resulting in Striker groaning in pain, head shifting slightly from one side to the other before blinking his eyes open.
âEasy, itâs me,â Calus reassured his mate.
âC-CalusâŚfuck!â Striker breathed out, gritting his teeth in pain.
âRelax babe, Iâm going to heal you,â Calus encouraged, hovering a hand over Strikerâs side.
A soft blue light began to glow beneath Calusâ hand causing Striker to arch off the treatment table, his good hand balling into a fist as he ground out a pained groan. Calus returned his hand to cup Strikerâs cheek again while leaning over him, nuzzling lightly at his mateâs snout, eyes hooded as he made soft shushing sounds just as Plant walked in. The little hybrid felt embarrassed for a moment for having walked in on such an intimate moment but then shifted to admiration, giving a silent little âawâ as she moved to place the bowl of water and cloths on the counter against the left-hand wall. A few moments later Calus removed his hand revealing the majority of Strikerâs wound having been healed causing the imp to go limp, panting heavily with sweat rolling down his face.
âRestâŚrestâŚIâm done for now,â Calus assured Striker, carding his fingers through Strikerâs sweat-soaked hair.
âUmâŚI brought the water and wash cloths,â Plant offered, gesturing to the bowl on the counter.
âThank you, could you hand me one?â Calus asked, holding out a hand.
âMm-hm,â Plant confirmed grabbing a cloth to dip in the bowl of warm water before handing it to Calus.
âDo you have any pain meds?â Calus wondered accepting the damp cloth.
âYes, give me a moment,â Plant confirmed again hurrying out of the room causing Calus to smile after her.
âW-who is that?â Striker panted out, watching the hybrid flit from the room.
âTheyâre name is Plant, apparently you were dropped on their doorstep,â Calus answered, gently patting the cloth around Strikerâs face.
âHumph, Proof mustâve brought me here,â Striker concluded.
âWhat happened?â Calus curiously asked.
âI fucked up on the number of henchmenâŚgot ambushed by a third houndâŚpfft, rookie fuckinâ move,â Striker groused at himself.
âShit, did you manage to kill the target?â Calus wondered.
âYeah, I tried ta text Ya, but my phone died shortly after gettinâ the photos for my clientâŚsorry I worried Ya,â Striker apologized, looking up at Calus.
âItâs fine, Iâm glad your safe,â Calus retorted, leaning down to nuzzle lightly against Strikerâs snout. Striker returned the sentiment, followed by a wince just as Plant returned with a bottle of pills and a cup of water.
Plant handed the water to Calus while undoing the bottle of pills to shake a couple out while Calus assisted Striker in siting up. Plant gave a smile as she handed the two pills to Striker who popped them in his mouth then took the water from Calus to wash them down with.
âDo you mind if we stay here for a bit? Striker isnât in shape to travel just yet,â Calus asked Plant while gently easing Striker back down.
âOh, no, not at all,â Plant assured them.
Calus gave a warm smile along with a head nod towards the hybrid before getting comfortable. Plant went about her day as they pretty much ran the pharmacy because the actual pharmacist/owner worked at the hospital full time. Calus remained with Striker most of the day only leaving occasionally to take care of the hell steeds outside who also received snacks from Plant. Impressively Striker managed to get on his feet by early evening with Plant assisting to get the pale impâs shirt back on before helping secure a sling around his neck to help cradle Strikerâs still broken wrist. Plant began rambling about how they should care for Strikerâs injuries having warmed up to the duo substantially, Striker becoming irritated by the constant yammering, yet Calus seemed tolerant of the continuous chatter.
âAlright, I think weâve got it. Honestly though, thank you,â Calus interrupted Plantâs ranting.
âYouâre welcome, again Iâm just glad I could help,â Plant blushed lightly, hands behind her back as she shuffled her feet.
âYa did good kid, I owe Ya,â Striker added, leaning on Calus for stability.
âNah, you donât owe me anything if anything it was worth it to get to treat that hell steed of yours,â Plant retorted with a small laugh.
âIf we need something again, would you mind if we came to you?â Calus wondered curiously.
âOhâŚyeah, sureâŚI canât guarantee I can help but of course you can always drop by, and I can see what I can do,â Plant responded, surprised as no one had ever asked her for something like that before.
âSounds good, take care,â Calus stated with a parting head nod as he guided Striker outside then helped him mount Bombproof, mounting Aurora himself moments later.
Plant waved after the duo as they made their way towards home.Â
