05-20. Once a Beast, Always a Beast

This update goes back to the wedding party and explains why Bunter had disappeared once he'd left Caprice at the bar.
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Bunter hadn't been avoiding Caprice. She was wrong about that. He'd sat at that pool bar for ages, trying to romance her. She didn't respond to any of his advances, just kept pushing Big Mistake martinis on him. One Big Mistake after another.

He'd been smart enough to leave the Cherry Casanovas alone though. He'd had a couple of those earlier and look where that had gotten him. Good thing Hera had rescued him from Ruth. 

And speaking of Ruth, Bunter vaguely remembered her talking to Emad too. Was that just a friendly exchange? Or were they plotting? Surely the two hadn't double-teamed him. Then again, with Emad, anything was possible.

Bunter decided to drag himself away from the bar and go looking for Emad. He might be just a little paranoid when it came to his brother, but he doubted it. Bunter needed to know what the louse had said to Caprice.

Meanwhile, Emad was feeling pleased with the progress he'd made so far. His fist-happy brother couldn't keep pushing him around without consequences. Emad had sent the ex-lover over to distract Majid while he whispered a few secrets in the ears of the little fairy.

Then he'd wandered down to the basement and practiced a bit of SimFu. Emad admitted he needed to toughen up some more. He wasn't surprised when Majid came looking for him. The kid had been drinking too, more pugnacious than usual.

The brothers went inside the manor, away from the center of the party. Bunter started in immediately.

Bunter: What did you say to Caprice? You've gotten her all upset!
Emad: I didn't upset her. You did. She saw you flirting with one of your other women.
Bunter: I don't have other women! Ruth and I were finished two--no--three romances ago!
Emad (laughing): You're stinking drunk, brother! Why don't you go talk to Caprice about all this.

Bunter (trying to regain his composure): I'm asking you for the last time, what did you say to Caprice?
Emad: Well, I did tell her the truth about us being brothers...half-brothers. Didn't mention your father though. Thought you might like to tackle that one yourself. ...Oh, and I shared our harem misadventure, told her how we'd been caught and locked into lamps.
Bunter: Damn it! She didn't need to know anything about that. Especially since it was your fault!
Emad: Let's not get into that again, little brother. A real man acknowledges his mistakes, don't you think?
Bunter: Don't lecture me, Kraken!

Emad (sighing): Majid, when are you going to get past the ancient history? Can't we just go on with our lives now? We've got a great setup here. Don't muck it up for us!
Bunter: Forget it, Emad. There hasn't been a "we" for 600 years. ...And I warned you, if you caused trouble, I'd kill you.

Emad: What, what are you doing?
Bunter: Just a little fire to assist your transition, Brother.
Emad: Noo!!

Fire and water surrounded the Djinn as they both summoned their separate powers.

Bunter grabbed Emad and pushed anger and fire through his hands. Emad fought, struggled...

...then diminished as Bunter held on.

At last, the fire genie stilled. He clasped red, slimy flesh in his hands.

Bunter carelessly tossed Emad's limp form into the aquarium next to him ...watched as it sank to the bottom of the tank.

Then he took time to relish his victory. He was satisfied with the night's work.
Bunter: Enjoy your new cave, Kraken. Do try to get along with the other beasties in there.

Bunter: Otherwise, it'll be a lonely life in the fish bowl for you ...brother.