"So how's it coming?"
"Pretty well. We're almost done with it."
"Good, good..." Valtiel dipped his red hand into his bowl of lotion, lifting the soothing substance up to douse his head with it. He would have smooth skin one of these days. Soft as a baby's bottom. "How's Vatra been treating you?"
"Well, the food is... Well. Y'know. European." The two chuckled a moment before the monster on the line continued. "They're pretty professional, though. We'll have to see what the fans think, but I think they're doing pretty well so far. They've been utilizing my talents well."
"Yeah, I knew you had it in you." Valtiel sighed. "It's a shame the fans have such a love-hate viewpoint when it comes to Red. I'd really like to get him busy with things for once."
"Why is that, anyways?"
"Who knows." Valtiel slathered the lotion across his scalp, rubbing it into his skin. "I mean he's got a great fanbase. They're creepy, yeah, but fiercely loyal. At least Macho is seeing some work."
"What about the other one? Didn't you have three?"
"Yeah... About that..." The angel's brow line furrowed. "He's barely got any fans to his name. His popularity, I'm afraid, will fizzle out again once they finish filming Revelations."
"Really?"
"Unfortunately. I guess adding all the blood didn't help."
"Well. Good luck with all that. Break's over. I need to get back."
"Best of luck to you, too, Kyle. Make us proud, alright?"
"Heh, alright. Talk to you soon."
Valtiel set his phone down on its base, twisting the cord a bit to keep it from tangling up. After the phone was safely settled down, he lifted his other hand to his head, helping to spread the lotion around. The massaging motion calmed his mind, pushing out thoughts of business and employment. In his mind's eye, he placidly watched as everything fell away. What remained after all the nonsense had gone away was her. He thought about her fair skin, her figure, her dark hair-or was it blond this time? All her grace coalesced as he watched her open her arms to him, her body glowing with warmth, spreading as she started to run to him. Slowly, as though the air were heavy and thick as water, allowing him to relish every move she made. He opened his arms to her in return, rising to meet her. Valtiel! she cried to him, calling him to her. "Heather," he sighed, wrapping his arms around her as they finally met. But I am not Heather, she replied. He giggled softly. "Oh, right... Cheryl... Sorry, Cheryl!"
"No, I am not Cheryl, either. Let go."
Heather wasn't Russian. Upon realizing this, Valtiel snapped back to reality, finding himself embracing another cold body. He shuddered and released Whitey, straightening up and smoothing his robe out. "Ugh. What do you need?"
Whitey tilted his head up a bit, sniffing the air. "Is that watermelon?"
"What do you need, White Hunter?"
"Well... Boss chelovek, I wondered if there were any new titles that needed a part filled."
"Huh?" Valtiel tilted his head. "You want to be in a game?"
Whitey nodded quickly. "Da, da, more than anything, boss chelovek!"
Valtiel sighed. "Stop calling me that. Look, the only game in the works at the moment is Downpour, and it's already been announced that there aren't going to be any pyramid heads in that one. Maybe next time you could audition."
"Could I?" Whitey clung tightly to his switchblade. "Comic book was boring. I did nothing."
"Yeah, comics are like that..." Valtiel shrugged. "I still haven't figured out where those three went off to..." He tapped his chin. "I should really get on that." The angel quickly shook his head. "But anyways. Maybe next time. I think next is supposed to be another mobile game... Not sure, though. I'll have to check again."
Whitey shook his head, turning to the door. "No mobile game. Mobile games... They are terrible."
"Yeah, I'm sort of glad The Escape didn't pan out." Valtiel shuddered. He already had enough nurses and pyramids running around. He didn't need two more. It was true, the mobile games weren't quite up to par with the quality he liked to maintain. On the other hand, he did have a situation to deal with now, didn't he? Valtiel looked Whitey over. "Hey. I think I have a job for you."
Like a spring released from tension, Whitey flew back to lean over Valtiel's desk. "Really? Tell me! Anything!"
Valtiel chuckled. "First, we'll need some more monsters. Let's go round them up..."
