It was around 4 a.m as Alastor decided to do something. The prosperity of this marriage depended on this! After meeting with his family, Al started to understand better how his dearest friend grew up to be so… uncivilized.
Poor Anthony, they will have to help him with etiquette lessons before the day of the wedding reception… Lucky for his new son, Alastor not only was the master of the matter, but knew many demons from his and previous eras that would help.
And what is the best way to start if not the most important meal of the day? He got up from his king size bed and kissed his sleeping wife on the forehead.
She smiled slightly and didn't even wake up. She was used to this, as Al often left early to start his morning show even back when she was alive.
He left her a note saying that he left for the Happy Hotel, and if she wishes she and Daria can accompany him for the meal later on the lunch.
Before that however, he checks up on his baby, to see if he needs any attention. He didn't wanted Niffty to wake up prematurely, as his darling saltlick must still been in shock of the yesterday's events.
He shivered at the thought they would have to welcome that grey spider at least once again in his home. At last, it was an unfortunate reality as he came to the conclusion that brutally getting rid of his in-law soul would be a gruesome breaking of rules of hospitality. He couldn't, however, promise that he won't let his wife sew his lips together if he dares to speak the way he did last night.
The thought of that was enough to bring a bright smile on his face once again.
Radio Demon strolled slowly throughout the street. He really liked this time of day when the sun didn't fully come out of the sky yet and colors started to pop out in the sky as the hour progressed. When he reached Hotel he opened the staff door and entered the kitchen. He turned on the radio and started dancing with the bowl in his hand. It was time to cook.
When Al finished, he took a few steps upstairs to room 104 when his son-in-law was sleeping. He put on his best smile and knocked a few times waiting until the spider opened the door. Finally after 15 minutes of intense knocking a barely woken up figure showed up to him.
- Hello, Anthony. - Alastor started. - I think we all agree that last night's incident was… inappropriate.
- Yhy… - He really doesn't care. It was like 5 a.m. if he wasn't wrong.
- Consider that, I would ask your permission to NOT invite Don Henrion to the wedding.
Angel Dust looked at him, was he serious?
- I know, I know, this may be hurtful to you, it's your father, but for deerie's sake…
Spider hugged him.
- Thanks. - He smiled.
- How is it we always somehow end up cuddling? - He patted his back, good to see him agree. It looks like the rest of the wedding preparations would go without any problems, now that Don Henrion was out of the picture.
- You just deserve that, strawberry. Even if you're an idiot sometimes. - His voice softened.
- Pardon?
- Nothing, just for the wedding let me pick with members of my family who can show up, ok? I want to invite Cherri too.
- Your friend from work if I remember correctly? That's alright. I planned for you and Daria a few activities for this week, is it ok?
- Sure.
- Then, I think we can start.
Tony looked awkwardly at the table full of silver cutlery, different sized plates and tea set.
- Didn't you wake me up for breakfast?
- Yes, of course. - Alastor noded. - But first, tell me what would you use to eat this fish?
- My mouth?
Alastor frowned a bit and looked at the spider with a concerned face.
- Son, please, this is very important if you are about to get married.
- The fuck…? - He raised his brow. - Why would I need to know what fork to use before I say my vows?
- Because Daria already knows it. You don't want to appear less cultured.
- "Less cultured"... dude?! - He got angry. - And wasn't she born in the XXI century? Since when does she "know" it?
- Since she is my daughter, isn't that obvious? I wouldn't send her to kindergarten without proper manners.
- You're joking, right? - As far as he can recall, he NEVER saw Daria doing those fancy things, so chances are it was just wishful thinking on Al's part.
Radio demon poured tea into a cup with rose print and handed it to Angel Dust.
- Ok, let's start with something less advanced. Although, since you are marrying into a half japanese family, tea brewing classes would be only completed when Daria's grandma arrives. - He wondered.
- For now, we cover just basic european tea manners. I don't know that much about it since I prefer coffee. And we can study fork types later.
- I just can't wait. - He sarcastically replied.
After some time, Charlie and Vaggie woke up and went downstairs to see what the commotion was.
- Oh, come on, Tony! - It's not even that hard!
When the ladies entered the kitchen they saw a Radio demon with his friend, to their surprise Al was holding 6 forks and Angel Dust making the best effort not to fall asleep.
- Charlotte! Vagatha! Breakfast is ready! - Alastor smiled and took out two additional plates.
- Girls! - Spider turned his head. - Help! One more hour of talking about forks and I'm gonna call the exterminators. I think they would have more mercy than this maniac!
- Oh, stop being so overdramatic, son.
- "Son"? - Charlie squinted her eyes.
- Don't question it, Charlie. - Vaggie hissed - It's his life and his wedding, after all, isn't it?
The spider ignored Vaggie's comment, if that's what it's gonna be, then fine.
- Me!? You're the one who thinks I would impress anybody with this.
- You will. Daria will be overjoyed, trust me. And a happy wife means a happy life. - Stag smiled brightly.
- I'm not gonna pleasure my wife with a fork… unless she's into that kind of crap, I don't know…
Alastors eyes shone with red color and his smile dropped slightly.
- That was a joke. Calm down.
As the two demons headed to Val's movie production studio, the spider started to tense more and more.
He hoped that Valentino wasn't there but he also knew he would have to face him eventually.
- You want me to go with you? - Alastor asked.
- Ugh, no, it's something I need to do myself. - Anthony knew Al wanted to be a supportive friend, but he didn't want others to think he needed to be babysit by Radio Demon in order to get his shit done.
Alastor looked at him with a worried expression.
- I will be fine. Really.
He entered a skyscraper and pushed the elevator button on the top floor. But before he was about to quit, he wanted to do something less stressful. He opens the door to Cherri Bomb changing room. His friend wasn't there but he left a small pink scented envelope on her desk. Good old Cherri, she probably would try to stop him if she caught him right now, so maybe it was for the better that she was still on set.
Then the door of the changing room closed violently and a huge, menacing figure approached him from behind. He knew exactly who it was even without looking at the dresser mirror. Tony gulped his saliva and trembled.
- Ah, Val, I was just looking for you, hon. - Spider turned and spread his arms.
- What a coincidence, I was looking for you too. - The pimp poofed some red smoke out of his lungs. - You didn't show up on the movie set yet again.
He approached Angel Dust and grabbed his chin.
"You got this, Anthony" - He inhales some air and closes his eyes for a moment. He tried to hide how his body was shaking.
- I quit.
Then Tony heard a belly laugh from the large moth demon.
- Sugar, you think you can "quit"? - He stopped laughing and made a straight face. - Then think again.
- I want to get married, start my own business… I can't work for you anymore…
- You think you are free to be with anybody else?! You're a toy, Angie. My toy.
- She is…- This sting, they both knew whores were never allowed to love or be loved. Even this marriage was fake.
- "She"? Now I know you made this up.
- No, no… didn't you listen to Alastor's radio yesterday?
Valentino looked at him with confusion.
- Right… They announce that she is engaged… It was to you!? - He growled and his eyes glowed with jealousy.
Val placed himself on top of Anthony and pushed him onto the desk forcing him to sit down on it. Pimp grabbed his waist and started to plant kisses on his neck. Spider tried to get out of his arms, but the smoke he inhaled from the moth's cigarette made him dizzy. Pimp put it in Tony's mouth. No doubt it was the same drug he always used before having sex with him. He knew that taste all too well. It made him sick every time. His eyes begin to close it's lids, but if he was about to get rid of the guy he must fight that feeling. He knew Val wouldn't care for his consent so simple "no" wasn't an option. He spit out the cigarette to Val's annoyance.
Then Anthong got an idea, it seemed diabolical but also worth a shot.
- Lisen, Val, I know you don't want to lose me, what if I propose a deal?
- You, a deal? -Valentino looked at him curious, despite Angel Dust living so long in Hell, the moth never recalled him even attempting any deals. Maybe his friendship with Radio Demon was rubbing in on him? - I'm listening.
- You see… you can hire my brother. - Spider smiled.
- Brother? I didn't know you had a brother. - That sounded suspicious.
- I will give you his phone number. If you let me go first, that is. It's useless now, anyway that I'm going to seal a deal with Alastor's daughter, don't you think? And he is waiting for me downstairs.
He could see that mention of Al waiting for him made Val back off a bit.
- And what exactly does your brother do? - It was getting interesting, sure losing Angel Dust would be a pity, but he got a point. Alastor would "take care" of him if he insisted on bothering his family. Even if that's just his son-in-law.
- Val, think for a minute. - Spider squeezed his cheeks. He kind of liked this new power dynamic.
Maybe becoming overlord will be fun? He never saw himself as a person who could rule shit. He missed out on beginning the next generation Godfather, since he was a second son, and then he died just to become someone else's lap dog.
- I'm a pink, cute male striper. - Anthony said and twirled a lock of his breast tuff in a seductive manner. - My older bro taught me all I know about family business.
Well, technically it wasn't a lie. He just failed to mention the family business was not a brothel.
Valentino's imagination was running wild in the meantime. An older brother of this cookie?
Even more experienced and hot? Who was that slut. he must know.
- Wait… how I never heard of him?
"Ugh, tough question… Anthny, think."
- Oh, he is just… that exclusive. - Tony said. - Believe me, Nissy is small and adorable. You're gonna love him.
"As adorable as a Phoneutria… " - he thought.
But finally, the pimp let him go. It was a relief. He put a number in his notebook and went to the door at a fast pace.
- You know, Angie. - The Moth puffed some smoke again. - When you get bored with that squeeze of yours, I keep your side of the bed warm for you.
- I'm sorry for not having an invitation for you, Val. But we already have a flower girl.
Angel Dust ran away to the lift and wheezed. He wished he could stick in to see what that phone call looked like, but he pushed his luck enough.
Alastor was waiting for him downstairs.
- What with a smile? - Stag asked.
- Oh, nothing. - He still couldn't believe what just happened. He officially got one step closer to getting rid of Val's contract!