teach your kids to embrace the dark (gomorrah)

As much as he wanted to poke his sweetheart more about it, Mikhainon got up and fetched her a glass of water with a smile. "Take a break for a few moments and gather your strength. You'll need it."

After that, Mikhainon began gathering the paraphernalia needed for the ritual. Unlike his usual smug confidence, his movements here were erratic and jittery, head reviewing his list over and over again. There were few things this iteration of Mikhainon feared, and botching up a demon summoning ritual was one of them.

He handed Chloe a set of robes and a stack of papers. "Before we begin, put the robes on and recite the preliminary incantations." Mikhainon pulled out his colored chalks and began to draw three summoning circles on the floor — one as the main base (his seal), one for wishes (Arach), one for protection. He had special boards made so he wouldn't ruin his carpet. Carefully, he wrote his name in Hebrew so Chloe wouldn't be able to read it, and Arach's name in plain English.

"The plan is to summon... other me and to request the familiar Arach. The process of summoning is simple: Sit on the biggest circle, close your eyes, and recite the Sacraments written on the papers I gave you. Clear your mind of all thoughts that don't relate to the ritual. You'd know it when it happens." When he was done, he set the chalks aside and clapped. "Beam of light. Giant tentacles. A strong mental attack. You need to be ready for it, Chloe. When it ends, you can talk to me normally."

He grinned. "Don't worry. I'm sure I'll respond to Dad, too."

God. Thanks, dad. That was still a proud, shining moment. He wished he had time to bask in that.

He gestured to the circle. "I would suggest not delaying. It's almost 3pm. You wouldn't want to lose your advantage when the time, date and moon cycle are all stacked up to your favor."

You'd know it when it happens.

It was unmistakable, like a story out of the Old Testament. To Chloe, her surroundings would slowly mold together and melt into pure, monotonous whiteness. An odorless fog would crawl around the area, seemingly replacing the ground beneath Chloe's feet.

The when it happens part wasn't this, exactly. No, this was simply the stage. The "ground" cracked open, and all at once, Mikhainon's true form shot out of the ground, much smaller than it was in his domain but large enough to be imposing, about twelve feet or so. From this view point, it was easier to make out its features than the last time. It was tall, rigid, with a body made entirely of tentacles, lion legs, and white bird wings tucked behind his body. Beyond the animalistic features, it had golden armor and a rather elaborate crown.

"Chloe..." its booming, vibrating voice started, growls buried underneath its articulate way of speaking. Perhaps it was difficult to make out expressions when this creature barely had a face, but its thousands of eyes were soft as it gazed upon its daughter. "How are you? Is there any reason you summoned me?"

All formality, of course. The real Mikhainon knew why. But Chloe needed to learn to ask things for herself. Its tendrils slithered around the white, empty area in anticipation.

Chloe should know how this went. As much as this Mikhainon wanted to go easy on her, it couldn't be helped that he was a demon in the higher echelons, and attempting to contain his immense power in the mortal plane would be near impossible. It engulfed the entire area as if the room was suddenly dropped in a pool of raw, heavy energy, grazing on Chloe's skin, slowly creeping into her mind.

Once she made her request, the power began to constrict in her head, similar to what the other Mikhainon simulated in the living room except more raw. Stronger. The kind of magic that slowly spread throughout one's entire body.

When Chloe manages to push the Duke out, the white area would dissipate back into her father's apartment and the familiar, Arach, would be standing on the circle with her name on it.

[ order: @"Kait" -> @"hyperhurricane" ]

Mikhainon was very, very quietly setting up Chloe's party while she was in a trance. He took her ice cream cake out of the fridge and placed it next to the champagne. As he felt his other him's presence enter the room, he sneaked to the other side of the room and stood next to the light switch.

When Arach said her peace, Mikhainon turned on the lights and the festive music, and rained confetti all over his apartment. With a snap of his fingers, Arach was forced into her default human form, dolled up in a ruffled red dress with a giant ribbon at the back.

"Happy Birthday, honey!" he exclaimed, clapping as he did so. "This is Arach. She's my birthday gift to you! What's better than a familiar for my daughter, right? You can delegate her any task you want. She even has access to all of my knowledge and some of my skills, so she would make a powerful ally and mentor if you choose to use her wisely."

He blew a kazoo.

"Do either of you want cake?"