Hey there... Been gone for a while and I'm very sorry for it. This chapter was surprisingly tricky to write. It's definitely weird trying to get a story rolling, but I hope next chapters will be easier to write. For now though, hope you will enjoy this.
Chapter 2
"What is the price?"
Angel Dust wandered through the streets of Pentagram City, feeling strangely lost in it despite being here for a few decades already, it was like the day he was send here all over again, but this time he was not high on drugs, having a time of his life (or unlife). No. Today, he was very lucid and was going towards a peculiar diner where an Imp was supposed to be waiting. An imp named Moxxie that Angel felt compelled to see once more. Not stopping before any alleyway, not looking for any quick job to get money for even though he needed them. He was meeting a Hellborn Demon as if he was at any point a being of genuine flesh and blood and not an infernal Satan spawn. Angel did not know what to think of this. All he knew was that he had to do something with it.
You don't care.
He doesn't care.
If you did, you wouldn't be here in the first place.
He would never be here if he did...
The words of the mirror echoed in his mind, never letting him have a moment of peace. A moment of giving one's self to an illusion of this being anything, but a strategic move to survive in this garbage heap of the universe. He did not care for this imp. He never would, he never should. That is the truth. And yet...
"..."
His mind was empty and voice was silent. It was such an alien feeling that lingered on when he looked at the Diner itself. It was called Impaled Diner and it for some reason had a gigantic metal stake stuck in the middle of it as if it was thrown right at it. Angel heard rumors that it may have been here already and the guy running it just build the Diner around this thing to make it stand out, some rumors though say that the name was different at some point until something tossed this right at this Diner. Whatever the truth was Angel cared little for it. Although the name had some charm to it, considering the kind of jobs he had in this place. It definitely gave this place an interesting mood.
But there have been also rumors about the Demon here taking corpses of Sinners and using them in some of his dishes. That made Angel lose some of his appetite. It made Angel wonder if this Imp chose this place for this reason as a weird joke or maybe he was just completely ignorant. As those thoughts surfaced Angel instinctually looked at the window of the Diner to see if this Imp was already there. Angel did notice his set of horns sticking out from bottom of the window. It was cute. But it made Angel all the more nervous as well... What was he doing?
Moxxie's POV
Moxxie felt nervous. Partially because the waiter here constantly snickered whenever she passed him due to how small he was compared the table he was sitting at. Didn't help why exactly he was here in the first place. He was about to meet with a Sinner porn star for some odd and for now rather mysterious reason he himself couldn't figure out. He wondered if Angel would even come around at all. This situation was definitely strange for them as well so Moxxie wouldn't blame them for not coming. After all yesterday Moxxie threw the remains of his most precious item at Angel and then insulted them to lower hells, for which he felt deeply ashamed of. This memory also made Moxxie start feel a slight pain in his right hand which was now covered in bandages. Hitting that wall for a few minutes was not a good idea. Nothing in this week felt like a good idea.
"(Maybe I should think of something else)" Moxxie wondered and looked around the diner
It was a rather grey looking place with rather red looking tables and seats. It's floors were not the most clean ones in Hell, but they were clean enough to not feel like you walk on shit with every step which was sadly a rarity in this part of Hell. The windmills underneath the ceiling made of some demon bones moved slowly and lazily, barely providing any sort of comfort from the usual temperature of this realm, then again not like imps needed much comfort from that, but it definitely was different for Sinners who as far as Moxxie could see were main clientele of this establishment. Some were eating without bothering anyone, others were doing more intimate acts in not so hidden manner and others were talking about stuff Moxxie felt like he really shouldn't listen to. All around Moxxie felt alien in this place, but at least the food here was good or so he heard.
But definitely the most standout part of this place was the gigantic metal stake insides of which were hollowed out and served as a unique place were cashiers were placed and even the kitchen and on the outside this thing was plastered all over with some TVs and arts, some of which were not very subtle mockery of humanity and it's failings. Moxxie did wonder if this diner came first or the stake and honestly he wasn't sure if current owner even knew. All Moxxie could tell was that this was a remnant from some dispute between Nobles of different Rings that devolved into a very heated fight on Pride. This must have been one of the remains that no one bothered to clean up. One thing for sure, this was definitely one unique feature.
*DING*
Suddenly a very loud for it's size bell ringed as another client entered the Diner. It... it was Angel. They really came.
"How the fuck is this so loud?" Angel was clearly dumbfounded, but then he looked right at Moxxie and his face was adorned with a nice smile "Hey! Moxxie!"
He even remembered his name. Angel quickly approached the table while gathering some looks from other clients there that clearly recognized him and then looked at Moxxie with confused and angry looks. Moxxie didn't feel good about this attention, but he thankfully was able to ignore it as Angel came up to him.
"H-hey Angel." Moxxie tried to be confident, but it was rather hard.
"Hehe, are there really no tables more... appropriate to your size?" Angel pointed at Moxxie "Or some additional seat?"
"I... wanted to pick a place that would be comfortable for you. I was about to come and check this place out either way before so-" Moxxie then realized he didn't answer the second part "As for the seat. I prefer to keep some remains of my dignity, as scarce as they are."
"Hey I understand." Angel said with a smile and sat across from him "Soooo what we're eating?"
"Oh, right." Moxxie actually forgot about that part, he got too fixated on the meeting part to think of really eating anything and the menu of his table was finally picked up by him "Well, I think... I..."
"Hey." Angel called to Moxxie who looked up from his menu, Angel was given his own now as well by the waiter "Did you know they apparently serve sinner bodies here?" Angel asked with a teasing tone
"..." But Moxxie couldn't hear it as his mind now was going haywire and some other client spit out some of his food in the distance "Wh... WHAT!? I-I'M SORRY! I'm so sorry! I swear I didn't know! I just-"
"Hey! Hey! It's okay. It's just a rumor." Angel tried to calm Moxxie down which helped a little "Sheesh, talk about being high strung."
"Asshole" Some client said in the background
"I'm sorry, it's just... I really-" Moxxie couldn't finish and instinctually grabbed his horns, feeling like he wants to tear them out of his skull
"Hey, maybe they serve imp meat here as well. As far as I know it wouldn't be that out of place here." Angel made a jest that did made Moxxie more at ease "And maybe one of those belongs to yours truly, we could learn how I taste maybe."
"I would... prefer not to." Moxxie was honest here, this thought felt wrong
"Hihi, I assume you lost appetite for meat huh?" Angel asked
"Hmm, yeah you're right." Moxxie did find himself less inclined to eat meat here after this revelation which did made the selection a bit easier "I think I'll just take a salad."
"Hmm, they serve ravioli here? I think I'll take that." Angel said as he looked at the menu "And maybe some ice cream with strawberries as dessert."
"That sounds nice, maybe I'll take those ice cream as well." Moxxie said
"You sure? Given your shape I would suggest maybe sticking to the salad." Angel said as he looked down on Moxxie
"What!? I'm not even fat! Why would I-" Moxxie then noticed teasing smile of Angel and felt rather stupid "Haha, very funny, I'll take them."
"Suit yourself." Angel happily shrugged and looked at his menu again "Hmm, this place has surprisingly nice selection of foods."
"One has to make a living, even here." A sinner from inside the metal stake said, he looked like a skinned bat that someone chewed up and spit out who also wore a chefs hat, not a very pretty sight "By the way, you come here, say what you want and pay."
"I can pay Angel!" Moxxie happily said
"Really now?" Angel asked with rather sceptical tone "What do you want for that?"
"Are you still on it? I DON'T want anything from you!" Moxxie was frustrated
"..." Angel for a moment said nothing as he seemed rather surprised "You know... I can pay. It's not a big-"
"You don't need to. I'll pay." Moxxie said as he thought about how many savings he has, it wasn't a small sum, but Moxxie definitely hoped those kinds of endeavors wont be a frequent occurrence
"Okay." Angel seemed rather lost
Moxxie though quickly got up from the table and walked up to the stake, but then he realized that he was to small to reach out to the top
"Hey!" Moxxie tried to gain their attention "HEY! I WANT TO ORDER SOMETHING!"
No response outside of few laughs from around the diner
"Here." Suddenly Angel said and Moxxie was grabbed from behind and picked up to the cashier
"Thanks..." Moxxie said while being a bit embarrassed and looked at the bell on the counter and pressed it
*DING*
And again came the sound so loud it felt like Moxxie was inside a church bell.
"Ye?" The bat from before went up to them "What you order?"
"One salad, one ravioli and 2 ice cream with strawberries." Moxxie listed
"Hmm...mmm... 85,78" Bat answered after some pondering
"Wha!?" Moxxie was surprised at the level of scam here
"That is a rip off!" Angel protested
"As I said before. Even here you gotta make a living. Don't like it? Get out." Bat pointed at the doors
"Or you know..." Angel then put Moxxie on the counter and reached out with his hand towards the bat "We can make some-"
*SLAM*
Suddenly the bat slammed a small metal stake into the counter, almost hitting Moxxie which made Angel also retract his hand
"No."
"Don't worry! We are good." Moxxie tried to deescalate the situation and picked out the money from his wallet. He REALLY hoped this wont be a frequent thing.
The bat chef just walked away into the dark while Angel awkwardly picked up Moxxie again and placed him on his seat nad then sat down where he did before.
"Well, that usually works." Angel did not seem to understand what just occured
"There is always a first time right?" Moxxie tried to cheer him up
"Trust me. I know a thing or two about those hehe." Angel joked and Moxxie chuckled as well, Angel then looked around the diner "This place doesn't seem very friendly to imps."
"Seems like it." Moxxie agreed as he looked at the window that was just high enough for him to not be able to look outside of it "But one can get used to it."
"Hmm..." Angel seemed to think about something "Why did you even bring me here? You know, invited me to this."
"I just..." Moxxie tried to find the right words "I guess it just felt right. I wanted us to explain some things to each other, maybe get to know one another better and... so I can in a nice way apologize for my outburst yesterday" The last part he felt the most ashamed of
"Hmm? I think you're the last person to feel bad for talking shit about me given how I was treating you." Angel said
"Eh, I still want to apologize. It was awful what I said and..." Moxxie scratched the back of his head
"What's that?" Angel pointed at Moxxie's right hand "You hurt yourself?"
"Oh... Well, that's another effect of my bad mood from yesterday." Moxxie did not know how to say it better
"It was a rough day for you huh?" Angel asked
"..." Moxxie did not feel like he wanted to talk about it
"Silent treatment? Didn't you say you want us to learn more about each other?" Angel asked a good question
"R-right sorry..." Moxxie gathered as much courage as he could "I was... fired from my job back then. As a musician."
"Well that sucks, but it doesn't sound very-"
"I was told that I'm not even good enough to laugh at anymore." Moxxie continued without even hearing what Angel was saying "And my guitar my parents gave me was broken by one of the bodyguards who threw me out on the pavement."
"...Okay that sounds pretty bad." Angel admitted "Say, did the guy who broke it and threw you out was a one horned bull?"
"No. A lizard with golden teeth. Lado." Moxxie still had his awful smile before his eyes
"Ah. That fucker." Angel said with a hint of annoyance
"You know him?" Moxxie asked, but then remembered Angel asking about Tesus
"Yeah, him, that bull and few other ones were going rough with me for 2 days." Angel said it rather nonchalantly, but his eyes wandered to some parts of his body
"What!? Why didn't you- I..." Moxxie had to piece it together, it was no use being angry with them now, not like he could do anything against them "Why did you put up with it!? You were in horrible state when I was meeting you!"
"Money obviously. Of course I would be more picky if it wasn't for an amount I have to get in limited time." Angel's voice was now getting more angry "I don't like being on verge of death like that, but I like death itself on streets to some freaky Angel even less."
"I see..." Moxxie understood, but it was still terrible "Did you at least got that money?"
"I'm about halfway through. Why?" Angel said with a puzzled look
"I... I can give you that if you need it! If that means you don't have to-"
"Now, now. You just told me you have no job. You really have the money? A money to waste on a sinner like me?" Angel asked while getting his head a bit closer to Moxxie's side
"Maybe." Moxxie said while sinking further into his seat "I have some savings. How much do you need?"
"..." Angel's expression softened a bit and he pulled his head away "2.500, but I wont take it from you even if you can give."
"Why?" Moxxie asked
"I have a plan already... Maybe..." Angel seemed to think of something "Do you know how I can get on lower rings?"
"Wha-" Moxxie's heart stopped in his throat "Lower... You can't! I'm sorry, but you can't! Even if there was a way you wouldn't be able to get there!"
"Yeah... I figured." Angel looked at the window now "This is such a strange way Hell works. There are rings dedicated to sins and yet all humans must stay on Pride. How does that make any sense?"
"I wish I could answer that." Moxxie really had no clue "From what I know King Lucifer and Great Governor Lucifuge both agreed that Sinners should remain on Pride. Best I can tell is that somehow their interests aligned in this case."
"Not a common thing?" Angel asked and Moxxie just shook his head "Eh... I wish I could see how Lust looks. From what I hear of Lord Asmodeus he sounds like my kind of guy."
"Is that why you want to go to a different level?" Moxxie asked
"No. I had something else in mind..." Angel kept on looking outside the window
"Maybe... Maybe I could help with that." Moxxie proposed "If you don't want my money then I could maybe help you with this business."
"You sure?" Angel asked and turned his head towards Moxxie who happily nodded which made Angel smile "Hehe, thanks. I'll tell you what it is at my place."
"Okay!" Moxxie was a bit more happy now, then he saw the waiter place two plates on the table "But we should eat first."
"True." Angel agreed
Both of them started eating and both enjoyed their meal. Moxxie was definitely surprised at the quality of the food here which once he asked the bat sinner about it he just replied with.
"One has to make a living and I refuse to half ass what I do."
Moxxie did find that commendable and expressed his gratitude for a good meal. The sinner did not seem very concerned with anything he said. Angel on the other hand seemed to find it strange to thank him like this. Soon enough both of them got out of this Diner and were now heading down the street towards Angel's house. Passing all kinds of shops and dirty alleyways.
"I have to be honest, I'm surprised at how... not awful that food was." Moxxie said to begin a conversation
"It was okay. I prefer making my own though." Angel said in a rather bored tone
"So you're into cooking?" Moxxie was very curious
"A hobby of mine." Angel said and looked for a moment at Moxxie "What? A pornstar needs hobbies. To do nothing, but fuck is something a basic whore does."
"I say nothing! I just thought that we could try each other's dishes, maybe share our recipes, our ways of cooking." Moxxie stopped when he saw the weird look on Angel's face
"You like to cook huh?" Angel made a good observation
"Yeah, my mom taught me. I find it a very relaxing experience." Moxxie said and started thinking of mom, how amazingly her dishes always came out
"Why don't you get a job as a cook?" Angel asked
"Eh, I like cooking, but doing as a job would probably make me too burned out. Hehe..." Angel's expression on that joke was that of pity "Although I probably wont have much of a choice soon."
"A cook, a musician. Tell me you are also a gunslinger and I will again start doubting your honesty." Angel said in a teasing tone
"Well, now I'm just a cook." Moxxie decided to leave out for now his talent for guns too
"Were you that bad?" Angel asked in a bit more empathetic tone
"I... Don't know. Boss told me I wasn't bad at music, it's just that what I sang well was... Not what anyone wanted." Moxxie explained as he got a bit more sad
"You mean some cheesy love songs?" Angel seemed amused at this
"You could say that." Moxxie answered
"Well then I guess I can't blame that boss too much. I mean I wouldn't last long if my services were spouting poetry half the time." Angel said while revealing one of his hidden arms and patting Moxxie on the back "But at least there is hope for you if you are good at it."
"Thanks." This made Moxxie smile and then he looked to the side and ironically saw the bar where he used to play in, he was hearing some rather painful sounding singing coming from there even from here "I hope I wont have to go back there ever again."
"Where?" Angel asked and Moxxie pointed at the bar "Wh-"
Suddenly Angel froze in place
"Angel?" Moxxie was concerned
"How the fu-... Oh no I got too used to this area..." Angel said quietly and started going much faster now and went around the corner
"Angel!? What's going on!?" Moxxie tried to catch up with him
"Fuck, fuck, fuck! Need to run from here! Before-" Suddenly someone grabbed Angel pulled him into the nearby alleyway
"Angel!?" Moxxie's mind now was in full panic mode
Angel POV
Fuck! He got too used to this damn area and went through here due to the routine. And now he was paying the price for it as he was dragged to the end of this damn alley. As he looked around though he didn't see anyone else here. Just this Hellhound. This Hellhound looked like one of those brothers, but he couldn't tell exactly which one.
"Welcome my bright moonlight." Hellhound said in a very creepy tone as he sniffed some of Angel's fur "You should have heeded our warning."
"I was planning to! I just-"
Suddenly the Hellhound pulled out a knife and brought to Angel's neck. Angel wanted to take out his gun to shoot him, but it would be for nothing. There is little threat to him in this situation, but the process of gaining a new body is not something he likes to go through, not to mention how long it would take.
"You are just about to die." Hellhound said "But I may have some fun before-"
"Hook?" Suddenly Moxxie's voice was heard
Angel looked forward and saw Moxxie with his hands raised up
"Oh, hey little guy. Nice to see you." Hellhound answered with a smile
"Y-yeah... you too." Moxxie was clearly distraught "W-what are you doing here?"
"I was getting tired of hearing bitch boss at the bar screeching her lungs out and no other singer there was of any good either. Honestly I had more fun listening to you." Hook said casually as if he wasn't just holding a knife next to Angel's neck "Maybe think about coming back."
"That decision sadly is not up to me..." Moxxie said and at this point Angel was really confused at what the fuck was Moxxie trying to accomplish here, but then he noticed Moxxie waving his left hand in barely noticeable way. Angel quickly understood "And... what do you want to do with this person?"
"Him? Why punish him for not taking our warnings seriously." Hook answered while pressing his knife a bit harder
"What warnings?" Moxxie asked
"Oh right, you are not one of..." Hook then stopped for a moment and his hand holding the knife became a bit more relaxed "You know what, maybe just turn away and go behind the corner. We can talk in a few minutes. Or just go away, it will be easier for us both."
"Hook... I know what you want to do. Can you please let them go?" Moxxie pleaded and Hook's hand again became a bit lighter
"Eh, sorry little guy. Rules are rules. Sadly it's not up to me." Hook repeated Moxxie's words
"P-please, I wont repeat myself again. Let them go." Moxxie said with a scared tone which rather heavily contrasted with his words
"Wont repeat? Are you... trying to threaten me?" Hook asked and Moxxie kept on looking at him with his hands raised up "HAHAHAHA!"
NOW! Angel quickly used one of his hidden hands and tried to push Hook away and reached out for his gun as Hook's knife got farther away from his neck because of his laughter, but.
*slice*
But Hook quickly got his knife back to Angel's neck and quickly readjusted his grip before Angel could raise his gun. Some blood was now dripping from Angel's neck and it felt... hot... This knife was not normal. It was such a bright blade with symbol of crescent moon, it was... Angel got very nervous now. He was really about to die. Again... Hook then finally stopped laughing.
"Hahaha... I like you little guy, but I even I know you stand no chance against me." Hook said to clearly afraid Moxxie
"Is... is it..." Moxxie pointed at the knife
"What?" Hook then looked at his knife "Oh that... Yeah, family heirloom. Skull has second. If you want I can show them together to you one day."
"..." Moxxie said nothing, but kept on standing there. What was he trying to do?
"Well as you wish. You can watch if that is your thing." Hook then turned his head towards Angel "Now-"
*SHOOT*
Just as Hook was about to slice Angel's neck there was a loud gunshot heard. Hook looked at his hand that soon let go of his knife and looked back in Moxxie's direction. Angel did the same and saw Moxxie. Standing there, breathing heavily with great fear in his eyes. With a smoking gun that appeared suddenly in his hands. Did he... draw it so quickly? Angel then looked back at Hook and saw a big bullet hole in his head and soon his other hand let go of him as well.
*SLAM*
And his body hit the ground.
"Wh... What just..." Angel was speechless
"Run... NOW!" Moxxie quickly said
Angel couldn't agree more and both of them started running away from this place. As far away as they could. They got onto the bus that stopped at the nearby station and it quickly drove away from that dreadful area. Angel and him just sat down at the back of the bus, not saying anything for a short while. Both of them still held onto their guns and slowly hid them in their own pockets.
"I..." Moxxie then spoke as the first "I guess I should say that I am in fact a gun expert too... You are free to doubt my honesty."
"Good to know." Angel didn't know whether to laugh or cry... or be further fascinated by this imp
One thing for sure. Now he cannot go back there. Under any circumstances.
A bit later at Angel's house
Angel lead Moxxie up the stairs and towards the doors of his house. If one could even call it that. Angel carefully opened the doors in case Nuggets was asleep. He slowly opened them and looked inside, everything was how it was before and Nuggets was waiting in his bed wide awake. Angel smiled and turned on the lights.
"Welcome to my place." Angel said as he entered "Make yourself at home hero."
Angel teased him again which clearly made the small imp a bit flustered as he entered and closed the doors. It was pretty cute.
"Looks..." Moxxie started and looked around, his eyes being drawn to many toys around this flat "Cozy."
"You can say it's a small dump. I will be the first to agree." Angel had no time for this
"Right. And that is..." Moxxie pointed at Nuggets
"This is my sweetheart." Angel said and knelt down "Come on sweetie."
*Hrum*
Nuggets quickly got up and ran up into Angel's hands. Angel could never get tired of holding him. Angel turned around to Moxxie while still kneeling down. Moxxie seemed surprised to see Nuggets.
"You can pet him if you want." Moxxie clearly didn't want to, but it was fun forcing him to do it
"Thanks." Moxxie gave a genuine smile and reluctantly reached out to touch Nuggets
"Don't worry, he doesn't bite... Much." Angel said and Moxxie quickly stopped his hand "I'm joking."
Moxxie reached out again and pet Nugget for a bit. He seemed to relax a bit and Nugget started licking his hand
"He is very sweet." Moxxie said
"Of course he is. I would argue it's the sweetest thing in all of this dump." Angel said proudly
"I can see why." Moxxie agreed and pulled his hand away "So... what did you want me to do?"
"..." Now it was awkward "You know... You saved my unlife just there. I don't know if it's right to just... ask you to do something for me again."
"You still brought me here." Moxxie pointed out "And I do want to help you. If that means you don't have to be go through things like that."
"Thanks..." Angel now felt like Nugget became a bit more heavy and put him down, but instead of running towards the bed he instead started rubbing himself on Moxxie's leg "Hehe, seems like he likes you."
"Yeah. How is he called?" Moxxie asked
"Fat Nugget." Angel said
"Hmm, I'll say he is more of a Plump Nugget." Moxxie said happily as he petted Nugget some more
"If you say so." Angel said while still feeling this odd heavy feeling. He had to get this back on track. Quickly "But I think I can show it to you now."
Angel said and got up and looked at his desk. It was still there. The Ring. He picked it up and watched it once more. Such a pretty and yet troublesome jewelry.
"What is it?" Moxxie asked as he got up as well and got closer
"Here." Angel gave the ring to him
"Wait... That's Lado's ring." Moxxie said as he watched the ring closer "It was pretty strange that he didn't have it on my last day."
"Yeah. I stole it from him." Angel said without a bit of shame "I need your help with it."
"Umm... What should I do?" Moxxie didn't follow
"You see the symbol on the inside?" Angel asked and Moxxie just nodded after looking closer at it "Yeah, that is a symbol of another mafia and apparently everyone on Pride knows to who it belongs to and they wont buy it from me."
"I see. So you want to sell it on another ring." Moxxie got it
"Bingo. That's why I thought about asking for your help. You have any idea where to sell it?" Angel hoped for a good answer
"Hmm... Maybe on Greed. I did see there some merchants willing to buy certain things for a good price. If you want I can sell it there. It shouldn't be much of a problem." Moxxie proposed and it did sound good to Angel, too good.
"Are you sure? I mean Greed doesn't sound very... trustworthy about prices." Angel explained his worry
"Greed can be felt towards many things, be it money, items, influence or even thoughts and emotions." Moxxie explained and Angel listened a bit more carefully "The Sin there, Lord Mammon is known for desiring all of those."
"I did hear some of his songs. They are pretty good." Angel said as he thought of his songs.
There was something captivating just in the way he sang, like every thought and emotion was pulled in with just the way he manipulated his voice and instruments, no matter how shitty lyrics could end up being. Angel wondered if this is the way for him to satisfy that Greed... If embodiment of Greed can even feel it.
"I was never the biggest fan, but I did enjoy some of his songs, but the skill he has in both singing and playing is next to none." Moxxie said as he looked at his hurt arm "There was a time I hoped I could match that... if only a little."
Angel was silent. He did know how it felt to be disappointed in reality. But at this point he had little clue about what reality even is. Angel though felt like this subject was not easy for little imp and decided to change it.
"Is Mammon like the actual embodiment of Greed or just the most greedy being in existence?" Angel was genuinely curious about that
"Honestly I have no idea. It could be that both of those options are correct. Mammon would definitely prefer having both of those." Moxxie said as he looked at the ring "To forever feel the need to have more, always seeing something to take, never loving what you have. It sounds like a sad existence."
Angel had to agree... That did sound like Hell. Made him more certain of what this place really was. And yet this imp was living here as well. It was strange in all sorts of ways.
"I can go now. It shouldn't take long to sell this ring anyway." Moxxie said as he put it in his pocket
"Wait!" Angel then said before Moxxie could take any step surprising Moxxie and himself "I... Do you... not want to stay longer?" What was he doing? "I could... show you some movies I..." Angel was about to point at the VHS player, but he stopped himself. He had to end this right now.
"I... Sure!" Moxxie said with a smile "But first I should handle this." Moxxie patted the pocket where the ring "So we can be at peace for a while."
"... Okay." Angel reluctantly agreed and Moxxie went towards the doors, Nugget lead him to them "Good luck."
Moxxie just smiled and waved as he opened the doors and went outside. His steps got more and more quiet and soon Angel was left alone with Nugget once more.
What do you think you're doing?
"I just... I feel it's wrong." Angel said without even looking at the mirror "Why don't we just take the money from him and let it end at that?!"
Because then we wont get the most out of this imp. Simple.
"How does that make any sense?!" Angel asked the Other one
Eh... How can someone be so smart and so dumb at the same time? First we have to refuse. Make it clear that what we seek is not just a fortune, that we are no leech just trying to squeeze as much money out of him as possible. Instead of taking a lot of one thing, we have to start by taking small doses of many things. Slowly get a hold of every aspect of his and make it ours.
"And yet we still use him for money here..." Angel couldn't help
It's a simple favor, him reaching out his hand towards us and we are taking that hand. Make him feel that we do need him.
"And then what?" Angel still couldn't understand
Then we reach out our hand to help. You heard him talk about his woes and problems. No current job and lack of self worth. We can provide both. After all, we do have two places good for his set of talents...
"(Val and... my family)" Angel thought to himself
Precisely. Once he reaches out towards us, we have to extend our hand towards him as well. Help him with his problems, provide help, guidance and slowly make him dependent on us.
"And yet we are supposed to be dependent on him..." Angel couldn't help, but notice the irony here
That's where self worth comes into play. He will be the one going up in ranks of one if not both of those places. He will be earning, he will be growing, but at the same time he will know that we allowed him to do so. He will feel more dependent on our words, emotions and body. Slowly he will be settled in our web that we will weave so lovingly for him.
"But he can still see through it." Angel did had a small bit of hope in those words
Not if we will make sure he will desire it without knowing it. Make him think that this is his heart's desire. That this is what he wants and needs. You already tried that after all at that Diner with that Menu. You are aware how gullible he is and you can see how to exploit it.
"I... I don't-"
You do!
Angel for the first time looked into the mirror with a defeated look. The Other one though was confident and beautiful, with a finer version of his work suit and a nice fur scarf.
I am you as you are me. I am what you truly feel. It is you who knows what needs to be done to survive in this dump. Manipulating a single imp is a non issue here. Not if our future is dependent on it.
"AND WHAT IF HE IS KILLED?!" Angel got fed up with his words, but the Other one only shrugged
Then he truly was of no worth after all. And you know it.
He... He did. But... He did.
It is only natural. Listen to what I say, for it is the right path we should tread. As long as you don't listen to... them... we should be okay.
Angel said nothing, he was lost in thoughts.
Once he comes back. If he comes back, let him stay, make him comfortable, establish a bond. And then ask him out for tomorrow. Take initiative and then... Reach your hand out.
...
Angel said nothing
Moxxie's POV some time later
Moxxie walked down the streets after going down from the bus and looked around now with a bit more concern. He dearly hoped no one saw him and Angel running away from that alleyway. He still was lost as to who this mafia is, but he did not wish to be enlightened in this regard. Then again, given what he just did today may lead to this sooner or later. Why did he even do that? Hook looked like he would be fair with him in this regard, may be help him not get on their bad side... But he made his choice for this sinner which he hoped he wont grow to regret. His thoughts wondered to the symbol on inside of the ring. A Composite Pillar. Moxxie wondered what it meant. It was very strange choice for a symbol. There must have been a good reason for it to be what it is. But finding meaning behind such things is not what he aims for at this point. He needs to sell this ring, if only to help Angel Dust.
Moxxie kept on walking. The streets slowly became more bright which indicated he was close. At the end of the street there was a big open area and in the middle of it was the Golden Elevator building from outside looking like a Great Pyramid with a big sphere floating above filled with all sorts of screens displaying views of each level of Hell. It was all shrouded by bright light that was mix of red, black, white and gold intertwined in a slow dance in the air spreading from the great statue in the middle of King Lucifer made of beautiful bone white stone, sitting upon a Golden Throne and underneath it were black, charred skeletons of Hellborn and Sinners alike acting as it's pedestal, Lucifer himself was holding a Red apple from which the lights have been coming off of that were making it impossible for any Sinner to approach the Elevator. The expression on Lucifer's stone face was that of satisfaction and pride as his sight was upon the fruit.
Moxxie never knew how to feel about this statue. He heard few outcries of people of Hell about changing it or just getting rid of it entirely, but it is not something that would be ever done because Lucifer himself was very pleased with it. Destroying it was also not possible for it was protected by a second layer of light, making it impossible to touch. It was only to be admired from afar for no Demon was worthy of laying their hands upon it. Moxxie just moved passed the statue, ignoring it's grim splendor and moving inside the Pyramid. He allowed himself before that though to look at the sphere above it. He did manage to see something from Greed. From what he could see Lord Mammon was now having a concert a the central part of Greed on his enormous Stage which could make finding a merchant more tricky given that many of them probably went to listen to it as well. Moxxie though still hoped for the best.
As he went inside he went down the stairs to the main area of the Elevator. There were as always many Hellborn here waiting for their rides, from what Moxxie could see there were quite a few now that were boarding the platforms leading to Greed. Moxxie noticed that those were the last ones leaving and he would have to wait a bit now for next ones to arrive. It didn't bother Moxxie too much because maybe by the time they arrive again will be around the time when Lord Mammon will finish his concert. But that was wishful thinking. As he was waiting there though he wondered what price could this ring even go for. It did look very valuable, but would it really be worth 2.5 thousand? Moxxie wasn't sure about that, but maybe he could give some additional cash for Angel. Last thing he wants to see is this sinner bleeding on the streets again.
"Why do I care so much?" Moxxie wondered and he couldn't find a right answer
Was it his usual need to help others? Or was it something more selfish?
What is it that he wanted? He couldn't tell.
On the other side of Pride, in the alleyway close to the Life's End bar
The corpse at this point was cold. The fur was dirty and first rats were already chewing into his flesh. Skull was kneeling over it, feeling rage slowly filling his heart as his fur became more messy and he tightly held his knife with symbol of the sun in his right hand and his brother's in his left. They will die. Whoever did this will die. That much he knew.
"Who?" It was barely a whisper that got through his gritted teeth, but it was as deadly as the knives he held in his hands
"We shall ask around Skull, investigate to the best of our ability..." Tesus said to the enraged Hellhound "For now though keep your rage in check."
"..." Hellhound said nothing
Skull just kept on looking at Skull's remains as his nostrils were trying to gather any alien smell off of his brother's corpse, but at this point the smells became harder to make out due to how long he was lying here in dirt and how many people were now around... But he could smell one, one that enraged him, but was not coming from this body. This sickening stench of perfumes and arrogance.
"Pfft, you really bring shame to our family if this is the best people you have uncle." The bitch said to Mr. Torus
"Iona my sweet... I promise you it's just a minor setback." Torus said to his beloved niece "YOU! Make sure you find this perpetrator! And give him his due punishment!"
He didn't have to convince Skull. That's for sure.
"Just make sure the Dog has a pair. If the other one is anything to go by then-"
Skull quickly got up and turned to towards the bitch, quickly moving up to her. She was an imp about a head shorter than him with a rather nicely shaped body, her skin had a color of faded red and it had a stone like texture to it. She wore a fancy red and gold dress and her long, black hair were made into a ponytail tied by a gold hair tie and her black horns were in shape of spirals coming out of both sides of her head. She wore a very arrogant and dismissive look on her face. A look Skull absolutely despised.
"One more word." Skull said in a whisper, a whisper he knew the bitch could hear
"Skull. Stand down." Tesus said while every other gang member raised their guns
"Not sssmart Ssskull." Lado added
"..." Calibos said nothing
"Hmph." Then the bitch boss raised her hand, making everyone else lower their guns
"Iona! Please be ca-"
Bitch quickly turned her gaze towards her worried uncle, making him quickly shut up and then she turned back to Skull.
"I want to see the dog bark..." Bitch said to Skull's face and smiled "Bark, spit and grovel."
"GRR!" That was it for Skull
And he quickly swing his knives at her. Ready to slash bitch to-
*SLAM*
But the bitch punched him VERY hard in the stomach before he could even touch her.
"GGHAA" Skull felt like a giant boulder just hit his stomach and he lost all breath from his lungs
*DROP*
And he fell on the ground
"Blegh! I didn't say spit on ME you fuckwad!" The bitch said as she cleaned some of Skull's spit off of her face
*KICK**KICK**KICK*
And started kicking him while he was lying there.
"YOU FUCKING MORON! BARK, SPIT AND GROVEL! WHERE DID YOU HEAR 'SPIT ON ME' PART!? I WILL MAKE YOUR FACE INTO A PUG YOU PIECE OF SHIT!"
Skull now felt surprisingly more calm. And while he was lying there he took a look at the poster on the nearby wall... Of their little star of last few days. Could it be?
"Now Iona. You should stop." Mr. Torus said and Skull felt the kicks slowly stop
"FUCK OFF! I will give him a good beating for this!" There was clear protest from the bitch
Skull slowly raised his head and saw Calibos holding Bitch Boss in his grip. Weirdly enough even he seemed to struggle with it. What the hell was up with this imp?
"LET ME GO OR I WILL HAVE YOUR WINGS PREPARED AS MY NEXT DINNER!" Bitch Boss stopped thrashing around so much as she said it and Calibos slowly put her down "Good! Bah. it stinks so much! I'm going to the bar! See if you have some working shower!"
Bitch Boss then turned around and went away finally.
"Oh, this is too much." Mr. Torus said and cleaned up some sweat from his forehead "Find the killer. We cannot afford this disgrace to remain unpunished."
Everyone nodded as Mr. Torus went after his niece.
"Hmm, I have some ideas." Skull said and pointed at the poster "How about him?"
"Spider Toy?" Tesus said as he looked at the poster "We did give him our warning."
"Yeah..." Skull slowly stood up, took his knives and walked towards the poster "Now I wonder how well this spider can listen."
*SLICE**SLICE**SLICE**SLICE*
Skull slashed the poster several times, leaving deep scars on the wall as well.
"I do not think he issss behind it..." Lado said "At leassst not directly."
"How do you know?" Skull asked Lado who quickly slithered away towards the corpse and pointed at one dry drop of blood next to it, visibly different from Hook's blood.
"It'sss texture isss not of a Hellborn."
When Skull looked at the knife he saw some small droplets of blood on it. Hook must have harmed some Sinner before being killed. But...
"But then whoever was in his clutch couldn't be responsible for Hook's cause of death." Tesus added as he pointed at the gaping hole in Hook's skull
"A trap?" Calibos said
"Ugh..." This was getting strange for Skull
"Possssible... The Ssspider walks around thisss part, trying to lure one of usss out while a hidden ally getsss rid off whoever catchesss him." Lado said as he slithered around the alleyway
"But then the question arises how many people helped him. Were they prepared for all of us? Did they knew of Lady Iona's arrival?" Tesus speculated while Skull was just losing track of everything
"War..." Calibos said
"Yesss, if thissss was our dancccing ssspider then it would mean beginning of a war with missster Henroin" Lado said while looking closer at Hook's body
"That doesn't make sense though. Such an attack is not something that old arachnid would risk. Not now anyway." Tesus looked at the poster of the pornstar "Especially for such a petty reason."
"A Fan?" Calibos asked as he looked at the poster as well
"Hmm... Maybe. Spider Toy does have some dedicated fanbase that would give their life for him. Although given where Hook was shot it must have been a surprise attack by a professional." Tesus said as he looked at the wall at the end of the Alleyway where there was a bullet hole left
"Uhhh... I am lost." Skull was being honest, he had no idea where they were going
"Obvioussssly..." Lado said in condescending tone
"What is that supposed to mean Lad?" Skull asked as he got closer to Lado
"Nothing, absolutely nothing Casssanova." Lado said without fear
"Enough." Calibos suddenly got between them "Later."
"Calibos is right, we have no time for such dumb disputes." Tesus said and turned towards Skull "As for explanation, we know Hook was killed by a gunshot to the head while he was facing a Sinner he hurt with his knife. There is a possibility that this sinner was our Spider Toy."
"GGRRR" Skull already wanted to find this bitch and kill them while shoving those knives into his-
"BUT we do not know FOR SURE if this was him. And even then whoever was facing Hook was not the one who killed him." Tesus then walked up to Hook's corpse and pointed at his face "His face shows clear confusion, this was a surprise attack which gives us a possibility of this being a planned assault."
"Which would mean War if the Daddy Dearessst wasss involved in it." Lado said as he looked over the streets across the Alleyway
"Which in turn makes this a much less likely possibility considering Henroin's willingness to cooperate with the Boss." Just the mention of the big guy made Skull shiver "And he is not one to be so sloppy by leaving a body like this, especially with how much trouble it would stir between both families."
"So? What does that leaves us with!?" Skull was getting impatient. His brother was lying right there! Dead! And whoever was responsible was still out there!
"Unknown." Calibos said grimly
"Yes." Tesus nodded "Sadly we do not have much to go off of. This may as well be a cover up by our mutual enemies wanting us to go to war and using our small play time with the Spider to create a raging storm that will consume all of us."
"So are we supposed to GIVE UP!?" Skull couldn't believe it
"No!" Suddenly all of them said in unison as they faced Skull with rage in their eyes
"We WILL find that piece of shit. But first we need to gather enough information to make sure we wont drive ourselves into oblivion." Tesus said with great conviction in his voice
"We could alwayssss asssk our potential Sussspects asss well." Lado proposed "Not attack them per sssay, but... give them a talk."
"Agreed." Calibos said while cracking his knuckles
"Yes. For instance if we get enough evidence of Spider Toy being around here then we can start to make our move to find him." Tesus put his hand on Skull's shoulder "And once we do we may know who killed your brother."
"Grreehehe..." Skull liked the sound of it. He will get him. He will kill him. He will destroy him!
Everyone else smiled as well. They will get him. Oh they will...
To be continued
Well that was strange. Definitely I didn't plan certain things here so I am also curious how they will unfold and will affect things I planned for later. I say this. It's definitely hard to try to get the ball rolling when it comes to stories. At least for me. But I hope you enjoyed reading this.