Moy Mell 4: On Thin Ice

"Moy Mell, 4: On Thin Ice"

orig. 11/14/2017

Zoro, Elly, Otabek Altin, Neuro  - PG

Original Concept, mixed fandoms

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His short, dark hair ruffled in a breeze of his own making as he sliced fiercely left, cutting across the arena and showering people on the lowest tier of the seating with a light coat of sparkling ice. Otabek Altin was the best ice skater in this region, and fans flocked to the ice-skating rink here not only to try their own skills but to see his shows. He spun about, ending the choreographed sequence by staring directly at his special visitor in the judge's box on the side. His cheeks were flushed though he was sweating, and his breath came out in short puffs that could be seen in the cold air.

"That was great!" Elly waved enthusiastically at him and he dropped his head in a sort of bow. Fans were showering the ice with plushies and flowers, and he avoided them as he made his way off to the locker room in the back. "Let's meet up with him," she suggested to her bodyguard beside her, getting hurriedly up. "Before he starts to change, I mean - that'll take forever." Zoro sighed but said nothing, following close behind her.

"Huh?" Otabek jerked around when they entered the small room before the lockers. Only people from the compound had access, and it was rare any of them visited. He raised an eyebrow when he saw it was her, nodding briefly at the big man, who slid diffidently to one side. "Elly."

"I just wanted to let you know I thought your new routine is awesome." She grinned, showing her sharp fangs. "Everyone - including me -- loved it!"

"Thanks." He wiped some of the sweat off his neck with a towel he held in one hand. "I've been practicing."

"It shows." She tried not to gush, but she was terrible at ice skating and thought it impressive that he had such poise.

He laughed shortly and waved a hand in the direction of the showers. "I have to get dressed. Thanks for coming."

"No problem." She wagged her tail back and forth once, happily.

"Where we going now, cat?" Zoro placed a hand on her elbow to get her attention before she walked out the door in a rush.

"Oh. Home, really, it's late. I thought maybe we could relax for the rest of the night."


- -

"Gah, I hate this show. Change the channel."

"You hate everything," Elly grumbled, but she clicked the remote again anyway. Zoro and Elly were sprawled in the living room couch on opposite ends. He had his long legs up on a footstool in front of him and was absently scratching his chest when the door banged open.

"Oh, now this is a splendid surprise!" The newcomer squealed happily.

"Neuro!?" She jerked upright, concern furrowing her brow and laying her ears back. The male standing before them was tall, imposing, and the only other demon on the premises besides herself. He had multi-colored hair and wore a dark blue suit. More importantly, he never came into the main house unless something was serious.

Zoro was also frowning. "What, bird brain?"

Neuro rolled one eye in Zoro's direction while the other kept staring right at his mistress. "Shush, boy. You'll want to hear this."

"What." He folded his arms and waited.

"There's been multiple lovely interactions of a less-than-flattering nature on social media. Someone," and here he rotated his eye so that both faced Elly, "absolutely hates our little demon cat."

Zoro let out a gust of air. "Idiot," he said in a pained voice, "That happens a lot. S'nothing serious."

"Oh, but this time it's a concentrated attack with threats," Neuro went on with glee, actually rubbing his hands together. Elly dragged a hand across her face with a groan. "And so fast! The latest one was hand-delivered to the mansion's mail service. I've taken the liberty of copying it, since we may need the original..."

"Wait." Zoro reached up and snatched the copy out of his hands before he could give it to Elly. He put his other hand flat before her, warning her back. "I'll read it first."

Elly sat up on her knees, tail flicking lightly with anxiety as she watched his face grow darker and darker. "Is it bad? That bad, Zoro?"

"Damn it," he hissed at last, his lips thin in irritation. He jumped back as she reached for it. "No, damn it! It's only going to piss you off. It's all lies and a warning to stop doing what you're not doing already."

"Whaaat?"

"Best show her, eh?" Neuro wiggled his eyebrows. "She's going to find out if it escalates, anyway."

Zoro grit his teeth before handing it over. "Bastard," he snarled at the man. "But you're right." He got up as she started to read and moved closer to her on the couch, watching her intently as the color drained from her face.

"I - I never..."

"I know."

"Has anyone ever said anything like this before?"

"Oh, there have been a few whines here and there, but never anything so... eloquent." Neuro's grin split far further than any human could manage. "I mean, they straight up call you a whore and suggest the mansion's a sex den! Such slander!"

"Don't forget the threat that they're gonna hurt her if she keeps it up." A vein in Zoro's neck pulsed with rage. "Fucking shit."

"You're enjoying this, demon," she noted curtly as Neuro clapped his hands together again. Zoro edged further over and slowly draped an arm around her shoulders. She snuggled automatically against his side and he blushed a deep red across the bridge of his nose and cheeks, though his face carefully remained neutral.

Neuro rolled his eyes again. "Of course I am. It will be absolutely delicious when we uncover who the shit-stain is. I'm looking forward to it!"

"D'you give the letter to security yet?" Zoro sighed with relief when the other nodded. "Good. Then we might be able to get some prints off it or something. Plus they should have immediately contacted the authorities when they got it."

"They have, yes yes."

 He grunted and patted her awkwardly on the shoulder. "You'll be safe."

"But will my reputation be?"

"Should be." He shrugged. "You're not what they suggest, and this house isn't, either. Enough people should know that."

"I don't know." Elly still looked worried.