Chapter 328: Modern Problems Require Modern Solutions.

Kat moved before she really started to think properly. She was sitting next to Lily already, with Vivian at the head of the table on Kat's right, Lily on her left, Sylvie across from her, and Callisto next to Sylvie, Kat moved completely without thinking and wrapped Lily up in a big hug as she finished her speech.

It was a good thing too, because Kat started to feel her shoulder getting wet as Lily trembled in her arms. *Why is she crying? Why am I holding her? How did we get here? That speech was amazing. I don't know that I've ever seen Lily stand up for herself so properly. She had no hesitation there. Sure she's defended me against her parents before… but I… I don't think she's ever defended HERSELF when confronted by her parents before.* 

Kat felt another set of arms wrap around her wings most of the way enveloping Lily further. Before Kat could think on it too much, Sylvie joined in and Callisto walked over and patted Lily on the head. That seemed to be some sort of limit for Lily because she went from quietly letting a few tears leak out of her eyes to full on sobbing. She clutched Kat's outfit tightly, and Kat pulled her closer.

"Hey it's ok" said Kat

"I know" sobbed Lily "I'm crying because I know"

The four stayed like that for a few minutes as Lily continued to cry. One might think it was a little weird with Callisto off to the side giving everyone a pat on their heads instead of a hug but to Kat it someone felt right.

Finally, the hug circle broke when Lily pulled her face out of Kat's shoulder. "S-sorry about that. I didn't really mean to get snot all over your dress" said Lily

Kat smirked and stepped back gesturing at her spotless outfit. "Remember, that sort of stuff slides off me since I became a demon… though it does mean you might want to wash your face instead" said Kat

Lily went red and lightly touched her face, finding Kat was rather correct in her statement. Quickly dashing over to the sink, Lily turned it on to wash her face off. While this was happening Callisto did a weird… not quite jogging thing to hop over to one of the cupboards and pull out a towel for Lily, which she held out to the girl once she finished soaking her face.

"Here, it should be cleaner than the dish rags" said Callisto

Lily mumbled her thanks and dried herself with the provided towel, before looking around slightly awkwardly for a place to put it. Callisto just grabbed it out of Lily's hand and dashed off towards the laundry.

"Feel better?" asked Kat with a smile knowing Lily certainly wasn't crying from sadness.

"Yeah. I mean… um… yeah actually that did help. I… I didn't realise just how much I needed to say something like that you know? I… I think it is a combination of having such a personal project that I love working on, as well as having another dream of mine come true seems to have given me some confidence…

"Well, I mean… I haven't actually stood up to them just yet but… I feel like I can you know? Like… I feel different then I did just yesterday or something" said Lily as she took a seat on the sofa.

Kat was very tempted to continue hugging her best friend when she saw that but sensed the time for a more serious and formal conversation was at hand. Still, that didn't mean Kat couldn't grab Sylvie instead and take the other side of the couch. Vivian and Callisto each took one of the recliners. Once everyone was seated Callisto was the one who spoke first. "So, how are we doing this? It has become a more serious question."

"Well… I guess we can all agree we won't just sneak it in anymore…" said Lily

"Not necessarily" said Sylvie "We can use that as a starting point, and just have the rest of us waiting around to ambush your parents when they question it. Show them the desk fully together first for a bit of impact"

"Hmm, but if we are 'ambushing' them…" said Vivian with air quotes "do we want to have so many people with us? The way you put that Sylvie, you make it seem like we should all be there… and I don't disagree exactly but… Kat alone would leave quite the impression BEFORE she does any of her crazy stuff"

Lily looked over at Kat and tried to suppress a wince. "It wouldn't be that bad…" Lily didn't believe it. Kat didn't believe it. Nobody else did either. Just as everyone gazed around and reached a silent agreement… Kat got a bit of an evil idea. Winking at Sylvie, the little girl nodded as Kat put her down to take the centre of the room.

"What are you doing?" said Lily somewhat nervous.

"Showing off" said Kat. Flapping her wings, Kat started to rise up in place. As she did so, she also started to channel some demonic energy into her throat and eyes, causing them to glow. Once she saw Lily's sigh of acceptance Kat knew it was time to step it up.

Next up was forcing energy into her horns. She felt them greedily accept the energy she sent there way, pushing more and more towards it until Kat was sure they were glowing as well, before putting her hands to the sides and releasing large balls of flame. To further sell it, Kat pushed the flames around, so they looked like they were being moved by some kind of invisible wind.

"You dare call me names? Do you have an idea of the power I wield!" said Kat, with a booming voice that seemed to coat the room. It was slightly gravely as she spoke and wormed its way into everyone ears. "I will HUG YOU ALL. You cannot escape!"

Sylvie and Vivian instantly burst into laughter, swiftly followed by Kat and Lily. Callisto had a big smile on her face as Kat dropped from the air, focusing more on laughing than keeping her wings going. When the laughter started to die down, Kat knew what she had to do. Forcing a bit of energy into her throat again she said "Hugs I say!"

Which of course set everyone off a second time, even eliciting a small chuckle from Callisto that managed to escape her iron will. When they finally managed to recover it was Vivian who said. "Yeah… we might want to save that. We don't want them running for the hills."

Lily nodded "I agree… I think they might be more scared of Kat trying to hug them than anything else actually"

This was all that was needed to set the four into another round of giggles. Callisto, rolled her eyes at this one while hiding her massive smile behind a gloved hand. She waited for everyone to calm down, and for Kat to return Sylvie to her lap before saying "So how else could we start?"

"We could have Kat walk in carrying Lily's 'unconscious' body saying "She has finally succumbed to my power" or something like that" said Vivian

This just elicited a groan from Lily. "Come on… are we even trying to smooth this over with my parents anymore?" she said, but with a smile that still wouldn't leave her face and showed that there was no heat in her words.

"Well, sufficient application of fear and shock would probably get them to accept just about anything" said Callisto "I mean, the real concern would be pushing it too far and making them faint instead and think it was all just a dream. So, we have to moderate our terror appropriately"

Lily sighed. "Maybe Callisto. We'll put that in the Maybe pile. Anyone else?"

"Actually, I've got one" said Kat "We can sneak it in as planned. They notice and check, you say you bought it. Prove it by pointing out that it has everyone you are close with carved onto it. They ask why I have demon wings and you hit 'em with a "Wait? You guys can't see them? I thought that's why you never liked Kat""

Lily giggled at that. "That's practically EVIL Kat and I kind of love it. Not sure if it would work, because they would be able to see them next time you visited… but man would it be funny. Even I have to admit I kinda want to see the look on their faces when you do"

"Another good plan could be to just have Kat walk through the house carrying pieces of it and just… not comment on the wings. If Lily's parents ask, we can just nod and go "yeah what about them? Didn't you notice before?" when they ask about it. Pretend it's normal same as we planned for the desk but with Kat instead" said Sylvie.