Black Hat tried to think of ways to get control of his crew. He couldn't flat out get rid of them. As much as he wanted to do so, he needed them. If he wanted to, he could have destroyed the scientist and reanimate him, but he'd rather not be on the receiving end of Demencia's wrath because of it. He sighed and looked over to the newspaper to get his mind off of this debacle.
As his eye scanned the entirety of the pages, he came across a gala for villains. Many high profiled villains were to attend. He remembered receiving an invitation months ago and blowing it off. But now, an idea was beginning to form in his dastardly mind.
Demencia and Flug were coming back from the mall, an entire haul of clothes, dresses, and punk and plane merchandise.
"I didn't know there were so many airplane shirts. There's only so many types of planes you make a shirt of, I thought." Cambot was nice enough to drive them in the company limo. Both of them resided in the back bags up to their chests.
"Are you kidding? There are more plane types and designs than total lions, and tigers, and bears in the world." He scoffed at her comment.
"No shit." She took a sip from her from 84oz. Horchata. "I didn't think you'd buy more clothes than me though, you're officially a diva, Flug." She chuckled.
"Please, I may be scientist, but a good villain always has spare clothes to appear extravagant." He said, as he held out a bag that contained a WW1 Kaiser suit.
"Get it!" She said snapping her fingers and gulping down the whole drink. "You know..." She smacked her lips. "Normally I would eat the plastic too, but not for jr here. Maybe after she comes out."
"And that's good." He encouraged.
"Maybe its the turtle in me, but idk, straws just don't do anything for me right now."
"...Demencia...we didn't splice turtle dna in you..." She shrugged it off. "Entonces...que paso con el jefazo antes de irnos?" He asked her anxiously, she rolled her eyes at the earlier interaction.
"Ugh, I just couldn't stand him right then! He decides to put a baby in me and then pulls algo estupido like that." She huffed.
"Well...ahem...gracias for...standing up for me." He smiled, her frown turned into a tiny smile.
"Anytime, Flug." She said as Cambot was dropping them off at the mansion. Upon parking and exiting the vehicle, with all their bags being carried by Hat Bot Sentinels, Hat Butler rolled up to Demencia with a note saying that said Black Hat wanted to see her. "Ugh, ahora que?" She sighed. "I'll be back in a bit. Put my things in my room, ok Flug? Please?" She asked nicely as 505 ran up to greet the mad scientist.
"No problem." He said.
Entering her boss's office, Demencia saw that he was facing the window. His malevolent reflection staring back at her.
"Me llamaste?" She asked.
"There's going to be a gala soon. You and I will be going together and announce your pregnancy. Ponte lista." He said. Going to a wardrobe of his, using some dark magic to show the types of special event suits he has. "We'll be going in a theme, I'll let you choose." He said.
"What makes you think I wanna go?" She crossed her arms.
"This is important for the company image. It has nothing to do with earlier or this squabbling that we've been going on about." He looked hadn't turned to look at her. She frowned at his insinuation.
"Squabbling?" She accused.
"I won't engage you in this. We're going. You don't have to make a speech if you don't want to. I'll do most of the talking." He offered. She grimaced at him and walked up to the wardrobe. She stood next to him to see what type of styles there were.
"Hm..." She wondered as multiple styles were presented to her. From Charro, to Mafia Gangster, to World War II Uniforms. When suddenly she caught one that really spoke to her. "That one?" She said. Black Hat stopped at a mid-Victorian upper class look. A black suit resembling his, only outlined with silver linings and decorated with golden insignias of his hat. Black leather boots that took in the pant legs into them and a platinum monocle to replace his current one.
As for Demencia's fit, it appeared to be a burlesque type corset modeled with red seams to hold to her figure. Black and dark pink striped pantyhose for her legs with the dress' front cutting off above her knees, with the tail dragging behind her heels. With a little cute bowler hat to boot, too.
"Excellent choice." Black Hat said, snapping his fingers and the fabrics immediately on them both.
"Nada mal." She smiled as she looked at how it all fitted well on her.
"Lista?" He asked. A wicked smile appeared on her lips. Unsettling him somewhat. "What's so funny?" He frowned.
"Nada. I'll behave like the best wife you can ever imagine." She walked coquettishly up to him, putting him at even more unease. Still, he held his place.
"You're not my wife." He reminded her. Her smile grew even more.
"What? You can impregnate me and take me out to a fancy dinner? Can't I show a little affection to my bon bon?" She asked, showing her intention to dote on him in public.
"You little..." He growled.
"Or we don't have to." She shrugged at him.
"If it weren't for that child, I'd" He was cut off as her brows dipped in a challenging way.
"What? If it weren't for this child you put in me, what would you do? Kill me? Pin me and take me against my will?" She got in his face. "Do it. You're the most evil being in every conceivable existence! What's stopping you?!" She pressed herself against him, reaching into his pants and roughly placing her lips against his. Drawing blood from both of them. He simply placed his hand on her shoulder and effortlessly moved her off of him. "What happened tough guy?! Isn't this what you want?" She was on the verge of tears. He walked ahead of her, opening a portal.
"Let's go." He said, not having been bothered by her outburst. She wiped her tears angrily and walked ahead of him. Black Hat followed soon after.
Once at the event, Black Hat took Demencia's arm in his and both of them walked up the red carpet, many of the invited villains and servers surprised that he showed up at all. The original guest of honor showed up to greet Black Hat personally. Him...
"Black Hat! Long time no see, what brings you to this event?" He asked. Black Hat looked at Him with disgust. He never enjoyed his presence. Not for his flamboyant style of wear, far be it for him to judge a villain's fashion choice. It was his voice. "Certainly not to catch up with old Lichy and Trigon I'm sure." He giggled of all things.
"No. Me and my..." He looked at Demencia who had her eyes elsewhere. "I've come to make an announcement. As soon as whatever reason this event's business is finished with, I'll proceed with informing you all." He went ahead and walked passed him to find a secluded table for him and Demencia. Who actually refused to sit with him.
"I'm going to go talk with some of the other villains." She said. He had few objections to give so he waved her off. Soon, villains were talking, eating, and enjoying the other's presence. Something Black Hat particularly hated. His attention grew bored and his eye scanned the event, noticing that Demencia was speaking with Professor Venomous. A mediocre villain, but at least he knew better than to continue his heroic lifestyle. That, and he was a Platinum Card member of Black Hat Org.
What was really bothering him was how much of a smile Demencia was carrying in the conversation. He was about to vaporize the scientist, when he decided to listen in on them instead.
"Trust me, managing a little one is never easy." He pointed over to his little rat kid. "But, eventually you'll get used to it. They depend on you and soon you'll appreciate the responsibility and pride that comes with their success." He said.
"I can only hope I can be half as successful as you are with your...apprentice." She said with emphasis on the last word, obviously meaning something more.
"I still can't believe you're looking for one. Whoever you get, you'll be great I'm sure. Is this a new thing the big boss wants to make?" He asked, not having caught on to her insinuation.
"It was more of a mandatory thing." She said, turning slightly towards Black Hat. Having a sneaking suspicion that he was watching her. His stare behind your back was something you could just feel along your spine. "Really, the company didn't leave much of a choice." She said, taking a sip from her glass, looking directly at Black Hat. Who sharpened his eye back towards her.
"Perhaps it'll be better in the long-run." The Professor said.
"Yea, well, it still inconvenient." She said, walking passed him to head to where the servers were congregating to see what she could eat. Black Hat used this opportunity to tell everyone the news. He fixed his tie and went up to the podium at the center of the room. Simply tapping the microphone, everyone turned to look at him as the feedback resounded. Demencia managed to get her hands on a plate of calamari, before turning to face her boss.
"I hope we're having a villainous evening, folks." Black Hat said with great charisma, causing a few laughs and chuckles. Some out of respect, but most, out of fear. "Well, I hope that I didn't interrupt any of your activities for the night. I just thought I'd drop by and give a very important announcement." He said, catching everyone's attention. Demencia shoved all of the fried squid in her mouth, wiping the crumbs and sauce from her mouth as she looked up at Black Hat. "I am to sire a child. The mother of whom is in this very room. It may come to many of you as a surprise, and some not much." He smirked, much to everyone's fear at the realization that he would have an heir. "I thought I'd let you know now, and I expect nothing less short of respect to her." He held his hand out to Demencia, at which, all at once, a set of lights shone on her. She smiled and waved nonchalantly.
"Hola!" She gave a chesire cat smile. Many cheers and applauds were made for the news shared. Again, out of fear of what would happen if they didn't.
"I hope you all enjoy the rest of your evening. Whatever it was to begin with. I'm sure it was..." He chuckled softly. "Oh who am I kidding? It was rubbish before we arrived." He laughed and stepped down, allowing everyone else to return to whatever it was they were doing.
Demencia was quickly surrounded by many popular villainess'. Many of which excited about the news, especially having looked at her with great respect and admiration prior to the news, and some with a hint of jealousy. Not that they'd ever dare show, much less admit it. Demencia was simply answering questions to the best way she could. Until one of them asked.
"You must have wanted this for so long?!" She asked excitedly. Her heart sank.
"Yeah...I did." She said. Being honest with herself, she really did want it. It was all she wanted for the longest time. But when it happened, it was so malicious and violent. Not that she'd expect less right then, but...the brutality of how vile he wanted it for her. It hurt her a lot. She excused herself to get some air out on the balcony. Something not lost on Black Hat. He followed like a shadow, her form standing against the stone rails. Looking up at the moonlight.
"Having a good evening?" He asked, making his presence known.
"I guess." She didn't turn as she looked up at the moon. There was a moment of silence. "I would have said yes to all of it. Hell, I would have enjoyed it." She admitted. His eye narrowed. "Pero...you had to make it so painful." She turned to him. "Does it bring you pleasure to take away my consent?" She looked at him with a dead serious expression. Black Hat sighed.
"I did. But now I'm thinking it wasn't worth it, with the way you're behaving." He scoffed. She didn't react much.
"So you only regret it because I'm not so easily controlled now?" She asked sarcastically, honestly just looking for a bit of sympathy or an apology, something from him.
"I don't regret anything." He took his place next to her under the moonlight. "But...I guess I failed to recognize how you'd feel after the fact. Both times. I was thinking only for myself." He said. "It was my carnal desires, honestly." He said without emotion. "I don't wish to do it again." He admitted. "I see you're hurting, and this pain of yours brings no joy to me as I would have imagined." He turned to her. "I understand the brutality of which I forced on you. And I will respect your decisions and recognize your sovereignty." He said.
"Soberanía? What are you talking about?" She asked, turning to him. This was something she could work with, at least he was trying now. She appreciated it.
"With you carrying my heir, and carrying the responsibility of motherhood to it, I decided to compensate you somewhat. Higher wage, control over certain aspects of the company, and whatever else you wish." He said. This came to a surprise to her. On any other woman, this would seem like a cheap method to fix things between a couple by just paying ones way out. Showering with apology gifts that would otherwise seem shallow. But Black Hat was a business for as long as she'd known him. So this was certainly a big deal. He didn't just give this much power freely, especially his. She knew then and there that he tried in his own way to mend things.
She smiled softly, holding back the urge to slap him, to cry, to walk away. Many things. Inside, a slow song was playing with violins and piano.
"I'd like a dance..." She wanted to ask if he didn't mind, but thought about it and thought that she'd be more assertive over this.
"Of course." He took her hand, ready to walk her back inside.
"Um...out here. Just the two of us." She said, resting on his chest.
"As you wish." He willingly stayed in place with her.
With the music playing inside, the two swayed slowly outside, away from everyone else.