Bastet didn’t remember much, but the moment she opened her eyes, she knew something was wrong. Probably Caramel again. Bastet was still furious about how Wifi was treated by them. As if that wasn’t enough. Horos, her own step-father, blessed her with his protection.
She quickly looked in the small mirror in her room before walking out the door to enjoy breakfast. The chefs really had prepared a feast for them: Slices of oranges and lemons, chocolate-dipped strawberries and honeyglazed apples. Bread was given out by Polites and some other maids.
“You know, you could look better with a smile.” Polites said while giving Bastet a couple loafs of bread.
“Oh, but I am smiling. Every time I see you in this ridiculous outfit.” Bastet answered sweetly. Polites couldn’t help but laugh, even when he left the dining hall, he still smiled.
Suddenly Bastet remembered she had to pay rent. She ate everything that was on her plate, mostly vegetables and some grapes. She pocketed the bread she got from Polites for later, and quickly made her way to the reception area.
She saw Sugar standing there as well. “Caramel!” Sugar turned around. Giving her a stern look. “What do you want?”
“Why do us gods always want something when he greet someone.” Bastet said dramatically. “But if you want me to say something. I want you to be careful. Wandering the streets at this hour is dangerous, even more so for a female.”
“Why the sudden concern? You didn’t seem to show that when you tried to burn me.” Sugar reacted.
“I tried extending the olive-branch but if you don’t want it…” Bastet turned around and made to walk away. “And I can’t hurt you anyways” she said under her breath.
She heard a door close, hoping she would see Osiris she turned back around but the reception hall was empty. Sugar must’ve gone outside. “That idiot!” Bastet said. She quickly made her way towards her room.
Hooded in a cloak she did her best to follow Sugar from a distance. Doing her best to blend in with the other people in the street. Vendors swindling people out of their soulcoins, pedestrians dodging Hellhorses and hooded figures moving between shadows for the best deals.
When Sugar suddenly turned around, Bastet tried to hide her face by looking in the window in front of her as if she was an interested customer. To her horror, she looked in the window of a deserted house. It must’ve one day been a tavern because the tables and bar were still inside. Interesting enough, a few candles were lit and not-so-dusty glasses stood on a table in the far corner.
In the reflection of the window Bastet could see Sugar make their way towards a little alleyway. “They really are stupid aren’t they?” She thought.
(I wouldn’t say stupid. More like INSANE! Going into an alleyway in Hell, Best idea they ever had.)
When Bastet neared the end of the alley, she heard a bunch of different voices. All speaking about what to do with their new prisoner.
Bastet rounded the corner and saw Sugar get jumped by a bad-looking ferret wearing scars as if they’re clothes. Sugar looked in Bastets eyes for a split second and all Bastet could see was panic before the ground collided with Sugar's head and they went unconscious.
“STOP!” Bastet walked towards the group who just looked at her with hungry faces. “You don’t belong here. You’re from the upper rings aren’t you. What brings a lady like you down here?” An aardvark asked while Bastet was slowly getting circled by the other animals.
“None of your business.” Was the reaction the aardvark got. “Now you may leave while I still allow it.” Bastet continued.
A wolf grabbed her arms. “You’re lucky we allow you to keep talking.” He howled. His breath reeked of whiskey and rum. Drunken, hungry animals surviving in Hell. Oh this really was one of the lower rings.
The aardvark walked up to her and grabbed her face. His breath smelled even worse. “Such a pity. I’m sure you’re a lovely lady but you interrupted us. Don’t worry, you’ll live.” he threatened while tightening his grip on her face.
Bastet narrowed her eyes. “Oh I’m pretty certain I’ll survive.” Faster than the aardvark could register she brought her leg up between his. With a scream he walked backwards while holding his hands between his legs. “You bi-”
Bastet kicked him in the face while she jumped over the wolf, freeing her hands in the process. The aardvark went unconscious while the wolf tried to get his tail from under Bastet’s feet. “Let go!” He growled.
“No, I don’t think so.” She dug her heels deeper into his tail and smiled while the wolf cried out for mercy. “You didn’t show mercy to that woman, wouldn’t have shown it to me. So why should I?” She asked with a sweet voice.
The ferret jumped on the wolfs back, a gun in his hands. “Let him go lady, I’ve shot people before.”
Bastet just looked at him. “I feel the need to correct you. I’m no lady, nor am I a person.” She lowered the hood and watched the horror spread to the animals faces when they noticed who she was.
“We’re sorry. Great Goddess.” The ferret said while lowering the gun.
“You will be.” Bastet said while flicking her wrist. Three snaps sounded the wolf and ferret fell to the ground next to the aardvark. The other animals fled into the different alleys.
She checked if Sugar was still breathing and gave her a small blessing in the form of memory loss.
Bastet vowed to never speak of this day.
(I mean, her word means something important if she even keeps quiet while Sugar is literally in the Hell in Hell. Hell-ception.)
