Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

My name is Opera and this is the story of how I met my master, Sulivan.

I felt the ground swaying under my feet. I had been running for Devi knows how many miles. I was dirty and ragged. I’m positive I haven’t eaten anything since the day before.
My name is Opera and this is the story of how I met my master Sulivan. It all started when my mother ran out of money with the wrong people.
“Mommy? Where are we going? Why are you crying” a very young cat demon said.
They were wearing a black t-shirt with purple overalls and a black head band that kept their messy short black curls from getting in their eyes. Their shoes, small sneakers streaked with old dried mud that had not come off yet. They had the air of an innocent child yet the strength of 10 full grown demons.
The mother, Marie, was wearing a long floral skirt, black with white flowers hand embroidered at the seams. With a long sleeved white top and puffy sleeves, she herself had long black hair.
“Opera my dear we’re going on a special adventure Make sure to bring your favorite things.”
The lie slipped easy off her tongue. Almost as natural as breathing. Yet her cat type ears and tail twitched slightly with the lie.

“Okay mommy I’ll go start packing right now!”

Opera quickly ran off to their bedroom. It wasn’t big or luxurious but it was a well cared for space, a small bed sat in the corner and a messy half open closet.

Opera grabbed a duffle bag that was stored in the closet and started putting some of their clothes into it.
Warm, sleeved pajamas, black yoga pants that made them able to move freely, and a few plain shirts. A tooth brush and tooth paste and other basic essentials.

They also grabbed their favorite stuffed animal a white demi cat that looked like it had seen better days.

They ran back into the living room with their duffel bag eager to go on said promising adventure, black cat tail swaying back and forth with excitement.
“Okay are you sure you grabbed everything?” Maire said, packing her own belongings.

Soon they took off in a carriage that seemed too grand for their humble family. What little Opera didn't know at the time is that they would never come back to that humble little house.
Soon the mother and child arrived at a lavish mansion, at least an hour away from civilization, whether it be from flight, or by carriage.

“Mommy, what is this place?” A young 5 year old Opera said.

“This is where we’ll be staying for awhile”

Chapter Text

The mansion was pristine in itself, freshly trimmed grass, alienated decor and once their mother brought them inside they wondered how their mother could ever afford this “adventure”.

What little Opera didn’t know is that Marie didn’t. Marie borrowed money from a bad group of demons who sought revenge for the debt unpaid. And had to turn to the owners of such a property for help, the Cali clan.

In exchange to live there and be safe from who she owed the money to, she would have to marry into the clan and give an heir with the trademark cat ears of her family.

And the child who happened to be part of the bargain was none other than Opera themself. The Cali clan is famous for both shady practices and being the second most well known clan in the lust group, the first being the Asmodus family.

The security devil of the Cali clan was the one to greet the mother and child at the door, a young woman dressed in a long maids uniform showing absolutely no skin other than her face.

You see in the Cali clan if you did not wish to be a part of the lust portion you would simply be forced to wear layers upon layers of clothes as to not attract attention from lustful gazes. Unfortunately if you were already indebted to the clan you would not have a choice.

“Mommy who is that?”
A young Opera pointed to the security devil.

“Hello my name is Leis and I am the security devil of this manor please follow me the master would like to speak with you.”
The child and mother quickly went inside to be seated at a large dining table

Chapter Text

As the two cat demons went to sit down they were soon greeted by the head of the clan Slitel, a profound demon with many reins of illegal influences in the neither world.

“Okay lets talk business’

Slitel then explained how Marie would have to be willing to marry his son, a rich obnoxious snob to be quite frank.

After such a long talk about the logistics of it, it was finalized they were to be married in a week.

Unpronounced to Opera they would also have to attend classes on lust with Slitel's wife, a very strict teacher. It was here in which our favorite cat demon learned the importance of appearances.

They were unable to wear tight yoga pants any longer and had to settle for layers upon layers as to not temp male demons. And for a six year old demon like Opera that was torture in its self.
They missed home dearly but time passed and they were now 7 years old.

“Miss Slitle, what will we be doing today?” Opera said.

“Today we will learn how to garden. It is a vital skill in life in the nether world”

The older demon said.
The two demons went outside in such a luxurious garden and began to plant seeds for them to come up in spring.

The two demons started by digging up dirt bit by bit. Little holes to be filled with dirt and soil and seed.

Then they gave it water. Every day till small plants rose from the ground.

It is there that Opera learned the skill to garden and make life.

Later into the year in the midst of summer they harvested the plants and turned them into a home cooked meal that even Slitle had to admit was good.

While Opera's bond became deeper involved with the clan it worsened with their mom.

Marie was simply miserable with her marriage. And as it turns out taking it out on her child was not the correct way to deal with it.

Opera, in a constant argument with their mom, turned to Ms. Slitle and Leis and farther away from their mother.

The only thing keeping the mother tethered to Opera was a thine veil of trust.
And that trust shattered the night Marie had a particularly bad day and a nasty argument.

Chapter Text

Today was a bad day.
Marie felt everything was off the moment she woke up next to her “husband”.

She went downstairs and breakfast was set up as usual.

She was thankful for that at least.

Unfortunately as soon as her “husband” got up he berated her for “Not showing enough skin” and accused her of “trying to withdraw from the relationship”

She was frankly miserable and on the cusp of an evil cycle.

Then there was Opera, who just seemed soooo content these days like they were sooooo happy here while she was stuck with some rich guy's son.

The breaking point came in the evening.

Opera had finally managed to bloom a very rare flower and instead of showing their mother first they went straight to Ms. Slitle.

She was fuming.

How dare some woman try to steal her child.

Later after dark she decided to confront Opera about it.

“You seriously love her more than your own mother!”

“Mom, seriously I don't, she's my teacher and mentor nothing more!”
They kept arguing since the plant and things have only gotten worse throughout the day.

“I don't believe that for a second how could you let her contaminate you like that! You are MY child not hers”

“I know she's just someone who I appreciate in my life mom”
Opera screamed back defensively.

“I'm sure you wish you had her as a mom instead of me.”

She said towering over Opera trying to use her height to be more intimidating.
“What if I said yes she's a better mother than you ever was and will be!”

They yelled in retort.

If she knew what would happen she probably wouldn't have done it.
Yet a part of her was so hurt in the moment she did it anyway.
A slap echoed through the empty walls.

A slap she hurt her own kid.

Opera’s eyes went wide as the sting settled in.

They didn't think.

They didn't ever hear her fake apologies.

They ran.

They ran fast.
Acting on pure instinct, the sense to get away from danger out weighed their conscience.

They ran right through the window using their strength to easily smash right through.

That was is the day they became a stray.

Chapter Text

They were running for miles and miles ignoring the yelling and worry of those they have left behind.

They ran and ran and ran and it never seemed to stop until the 7 year olds legs finally gave in.

They were in some back alley.
A place their mother warned them about over and over.

Today they didn't listen.

Opera walked forward weary and tired from running for so long.

They felt it in their bones.

Maybe that's why they didn't see the men approaching behind them.
Then suddenly there was a bag over their head. And strong hands on their shoulders.

Of course they weren't going without a fight.

They hit one right where it hurts the most.

Kicked another one till he passed out.
But they were out numbered and tired.

And they were taken.

Opera woke up in a dark room with a small window.
They were in a cage.
Like a fucking animal.

They were stuck there as it seemed.

Then one of the men came in.

“Look at ya you look like ya might fetch a pretty sliver huh.
He was a tall man with a broad figure and a long tangible beard on his face and uneven horns.

“Who are you?”
They managed to sputter out.
“Doesnt matter”
They were soon grabbed again and shoved into a small cattle car.

There were so many.

So many demons.

Shoved into such a small place.

They were all slaves…..

After 3 days in the cars they were all forced out.

They were taken to a big farm.

They were told “Do your work and then you can eat today.”

They broke them all down.

Bit by bit.

It is here that opera spent their 9th and 10th birthday.

Two years of dirt and whips and desperation.
They were tending to the crops.

The sun shining in their eyes.

Growing life no longer feigned happiness.

Chapter Text

They were picking corn in the field.
Sun beating down on their back.

It was almost unbearable.

The sun, that is, the labor was fine once you've gotten strong enough.

And they adapted.

One of the demons in charge of the farm started screaming to hurry up.

There was no patience.

They missed their mother dearly.

They were much thinner than they were supposed to be for a 10 year old.
Raty eye bags that never seemed to go away.
Skin tanned from the sun.

It happened on a Tuesday.

They were out in the barn milking the hell cows when demon border control flooded every exit.

There was mass panic.

Everyone running in different directions.

Someone pushed them to the ground.

Someone helped them back up.

It was an elderly man with long hair. (This is pretty close to when Derkila disappeared and when Sulivan had long hair.)

Just by the air of him you could tell he was strong.

Not someone you could fight on a whim, but Opera was scared.
And scared cats always tend to lash out at the nearest hand.

They hissed at him, and shoved his hand away upon contact.

“Child are you alright I will not touch you if you don't wish, but if you have any injuries to speak of please make it known.”

The man said gently.

They were bleeding slightly from where one of the other men grabbed their wrist but they kept it to themself. They nodded no not Trusting themself to speak.

“Okay, would you mind coming with me? We're trying to get everyone accounted for. My name is Sullivan by the way and you are?

“....Opera.”

“Opera? That's a wonderful name, now come sit. I will be right with you once I finish my report.”

Sullivan said quite cheerfully. They reluctantly sat down and were handed a blanket along with the other demon kids from the farm.

After sitting there for hell knows how long a tall person approached them and asked questions.
He introduced himself as Henry Azael. (I hope I spelt that right)

He kept asking how they got there and how there wasn't a file on them at all so they would have two plans A to go to foster care or B stay with one of them for the time being.

They chose plan B.