Chapter 15: Overlord's Umbrage (Part 1)
Charlie and Vagatha sat in the main office. The conversation had turned to the hotel's finances and bringing in more revenue. While they had enough money to support their current staff and maintain the facilities, they couldn't do much more than that. The idea had come up to sell ad space on the exterior of the building, but Charlie quickly dismissed the idea for it's poor taste. That, and much of the ads they were likely to get would be for blatantly sinful businesses.
"Well, any luck finding new sponsors?"
"Nope. I've only been able to line up one, and that's for a, 'jack's joke shop'."
Charlie said reading off a form. Vagatha paused at this, uncertain if she had herd her friend right.
"Wait wait, you accepted a sponsorship, from a joke shop!? Why did you even consider a business like that?! I though we wanted to be taken seriously, not be seen as even worse laughing stocks!"
"It was the only willing business that wasn't inherently sinful. Besides, now we have enough money to bring on a new staff member! Or maybe implement the garden idea someone had a while back."
…
While Vagatha saw the logic in Charlie's reasoning, she still hated it all the same.
"I just- Couldn't there- *Sigh* Well, I guess new funding is never a bad thing. Just, don't lead with that sponsor if we ever get another media segment."
"Okay. Well, sponsors aside, at least the building is finally nice."
"Yeah, I honestly didn't expect it would come together as fast as it did. Especially with the skeleton crew we have for a staff."
"I almost can't believe it's the same building we got just a few short months ago."
"You mean the one where nothing worked and everything was coated in three layers of dust? Don't miss it."
Charlie giggled a bit at this
"Yeah. I actually thought we would have to chip in a lot more than what we did. Between Nifty's cleaning and Mr. Tafford's fixing we barley had to lift a finger."
"Eh, gave us more time to get ready for guests. Focus on studying and all that."
A comfortable silence passed between them for a minute or two before the conversation picked back up with,
"So, it's been a few weeks, what do you think of our staff?"
"Eh, at best it's a mixed bag. On one hand there's that shit lord Alastor. I know you like to see the best in everyone, but out of all the demons in all the rings, why did it have to be him?"
"Oh he's not so bad. I mean yeah, he can be really creepy, and he doesn't have the best reputation, but he's been such a big help! He does a lot of the paperwork around here, he arranged the construction crews, and the funding he's brought has been invaluable."
"I won't deny any of that but Charlie come on. Your not stupid, you've been alive longer than any of us, you know about all the evil shit he's done. You have to know we can't trust him."
The princess became quieter after that, her features becoming more serious as she considered her companion's words.
"Maybe your right Vaggie, but there's nothing we can do about it now. I highly doubt things would be running as well as they have without his help. We'll just have to cross that bridge as we come to it, because right now, we can't afford to get rid of him."
"*Sigh* Your right."
"So besides Al, what about the rest? Nifty's been a real team player don't you think?"
"Yeah. Never realized just how dirty this place was until after she started here."
"It's not just that either, from cooking, to fixing the drapes and sheets, even exterminating pests, it's like she's everywhere at once!"
"Ugh, I tried watching her while she cleaned a room once and nearly gave myself whiplash. Whenever I think of everything she must have done in her first week I feel a migraine coming on."
"Mm Hmm. She's a great housekeeper all right. Good cook too."
"Oh yeah. She makes amazing chicken. Though how many times a week does she make jell-o for desert? What's up with that?"
"No idea. Maybe it's something from her past? You'd really have to ask her."
"I just might do that later."
Another short pause. Her expression turned sour before,
"You know one of the things I like best about Nifty? She's not like that drunk cat Alastor brought in the same time as her. I swear, he has to be the laziest waste of space I've ever seen! All he does is sit behind the front desk all day and drink, I swear I've never seen him without some kind of drink in his hand! If we didn't need someone to work the front desk he'd be completely worthless!"
"Oh, I was just about to get your opinion on him. While I know he definitely has a drinking problem, I wouldn't say he's completely useless. We do need someone for the front desk after all, and he does that job decently enough."
"Barley. If he didn't have such a high tolerance he'd be too off his ass to form a single coherent thought."
Charlie had no reply to this as this was probably true. As much as she liked to put a happy spin on things, Charlie felt it would be better just to move the conversation forward.
"Well, I think Mr. Tafford has been working out alright. For the most part. What do you think?"
Vagatha perked up upon hearing this, and not in a good way. Her eye became fixed in a glare as her annoyance instantly doubled.
"I don't like him. I don't care how much work he's done for the hotel, the man is a ticking bomb! Not only did he bring in an exorcist weapon before his first day even started, he destroyed two doors and nearly killed a lady because he had a mental breakdown! I mean, what if your not around to pull him back next time?"
"I see your point, but we all herd his story Vaggie, I couldn't just throw him out after all he's been through. And he didn't know our policy on exterminator weapons when he started, how could he?"
"So we're just going to sit back and not do anything about another potential meltdown? Nothing at all?"
The moth asked incredulously.
"Hmm, well. Maybe we could require that he participate in some of the therapy programs here. Besides helping him with his trauma he could be a good test case for future clients."
"That's a good start, but what about that argument you had the other day? The man is a mental case and a conspiracy theorist Charlie! I'm not sure how much of that you can fix, no matter how much therapy he goes to."
"We have to try Vaggie, or else the dream will never come true. Besides, I don't believe he's as far gone as you think. I mean, are conspiracy theories really that uncommon in hell?"
...
"*Sigh* Fair point."
Yet another lull in the conversation took place as both took a moment to breathe. Eventually the princess picked up the discussion with
"But enough about work, how have you been doing lately?"
"I'm… fine."
The moment she asked that question it was as if a shadow had been cast over the woman. It wasn't just the hesitation before she finished her thought, or her tone either, she looked downright melancholy. Her face was downcast, with her features set in a look of misery. She held herself with her arms and drooped like a puppet whose strings would snap at any moment. Charlie hated seeing her like this and wasn't about to let this obvious lie go unchallenged.
"Really? Vaggie we've been friends long enough for me to know when something's bothering you. Now you know I don't pry into other people's business, but I just want to help you. I can't do that if you don't let me in. Please tell me."
…
If it were anyone else asking her this she would tell them to screw off, but this was Charlie. She wasn't just her best friend, but the biggest sweetheart in the entire inferno. She loved everyone, well almost everyone, and she hated to see anyone unhappy much less Vaggie. So, gathering up her willpower, the moth showed her friend the lead weight her heart had become in the past few weeks.
"It's Angel. I've barley seen him at all the past few weeks and I'm so, so worried. No, no not worried. It's more than that. I'm afraid. Afraid for what's going to happen to him. I've only seen him a handful of times over the past few weeks, and whenever I did catch a glimpse, he was more exhausted than before! He's out there right now working himself to death!
I-I don't know what to do, he has to keep paying off Valentino or that greedy piece of shit will come and take him! I don't know what to do! Not seeing him for so long has been killing me, but if he doesn't keep that pedazo de mierda sin valor satisfied I may never see him again!
Why does that damn overlord have to keep working him so hard!? Does he really not have other prostitutes he can hound for money, so he has to keep Angel out all day every day!? How much money does he even need! What does he want another solid gold dildo to keep his other ones company!? UGH IT'S NOT FAIR! I JUST- I just *Sigh*. Miss him. So much."
The grey moth shouted and raved. It was rare to see a crack like this develop in her metaphorical armor. Vagatha was always such a strong, stoic person but everyone has their limit. Her friend came over to hug her as tears now fell from her face. Seconds turned to minutes as Charlie sat there and consoled her friend in her office, rubbing small circles in her back to hopefully sooth the distressed moth. Eventually this moment was broken by Vagatha's phone ringing in her pocket.
"Hello."
"Captain."
Vagatha grimaced a bit as she herd the voice of the handyman. However she also knew whatever he had to report was serious. She knew that because it had been weeks since he referred to her as that, but whenever he did it always meant something was wrong.
"Ugh, I'm not a captain. But go ahead."
"We have a situation. I'm on my afternoon patrol of the grounds and I've spotted Mr. Dust walking back to the hotel. He's stumbling badly and looks like he's in rough shape."
Before either of the two women could respond Tafford gasped,
"Oh shit, he just fell!"
This sent a jolt of shock and fear down their spines, something was seriously wrong.
"I'm going to bring him in, we need to prepare a place to examine him!"
"Yes! Yes, Mr. Tafford we're going now!"
Shouted Charlie, speaking for both of them. The call ended and the both of them ran for the lobby. Reaching the foyer in under a minute they quickly cleared off the bar as Husk asked what had them so exited from his position behind the check in desk. His question was quickly answered as Tafford opened the front doors holding Angel Dust in a fireman's carry over his shoulders.
Vagatha and Charlie rush to help Tafford as Husk actually makes himself useful and runs to grab a first aid kit. Laying him down on the bar they begin to look over the extent of his injuries. Even with his thick coat of pink and white fur it was apparent that large swaths of his body were covered in bruises, most especially his pelvic area.
Additionally there were numerous small gashes, scrapes and other wounds on his body. Individually they would have been minor, but their sum total is death by a thousand cuts. But by far the most pressing concern, and what was killing him the fastest, was the extreme exhaustion apparent in his every feature.
He had strained, and strained, and over strained his body until it simply had nothing left to give. He was so spent that his body mechanically could not take any more. The spider wouldn't be able to walk for days, if he was lucky. After dressing all the wounds they could see, Vagatha and Tafford lift and carry him to his room to recover.
As soon as the two return a serious discussion ensues.
"Oh god, I knew he had a problem working long hours but never anything like this!"
Choked Charlie, her eyes already glistening.
"What are we gonna do about him now? He's in bad shape, what if his condition worsens?"
"Well it's not like he's going anywhere. Long as he don't try and get up he should get better just fine. Eventually."
Asked Tafford, followed by Husk's minimally helpful interjection.
"If I know him as soon as he wakes up he's going to want to talk to Valentino. I'm not going to let that happen. Charlie, why don't we put his phone in your desk? That way he won't be harassed by that estupido boss who's been riding his ass."
"Yeah that's a good idea. If his condition worsens we'll have to take him to a doctor. Shouldn't be too hard with the limo."
"Yeah. I'm going to go back and watch him. He is not going back to work anytime soon. Maybe ever."
Vagatha said with resolution, mumbling the last part to herself. With that the group breaks up, each going their separate ways. Vagatha goes to tend to her ailing boyfriend. Husk goes back to the front desk. Tafford goes out to finish his patrol, while Charlie stops by her office slipping the phone into a random drawer. Before long however, it begins to vibrate and chime with texts, all of which go unheeded.
'Angel baby, where are you?'
...
'You better be out gettin' my money.'
...
'Seriously, where are you?'
...
'Angel, you know how much I hate waiting.'
...
'Angel pick up the damn phone.'
...
'NOW!'
...
'Alright Angel, now your really starting to piss me off.'
...
'That's it Angel. My patience is dry.'
...
'That's it, I'm done. I warned you Angel, you asked for this.'
Some time later
"Oh, oh shit. Fucking hell, did I just go through a car compactor or some-"
Angel Dust opens his eyes to see a very pissed off girlfriend staring at him on the bed.
"-shit."
"Good, your finally awake. So that means you can tell me, what the hell you were possibly thinking! Angel why in the seven rings would you possibly pull this shit?! I told you, I fucking told you, that you were going to commit suicide by prostitution and you almost fucking did it!
Do you even care? About me, or Charlie, or the dream we all are working towards?! Why would you possibly want to fuck yourself to death!? You worked long hours before the hotel, but never anything like this! Or were you just trying to escape? Do you really hate this place that much, or Charlie, or, or me?"
She chewed him out, sadness leaking into her voice on the last sentence.
"Well, answer me!"
"Vaggie, no. Vags, look I- ow!- I know you got no reason to believe a word I say but I was never tryin' to get away from you. Or Charlie. Or the Hotel."
He said with a wince, his injuries smarting.
"Then why? Why stay out for weeks and never take a day off once? I knew you worked for Valentino when I met you, but you never ever ran yourself to the bone like this? What changed?"
…
Angel Dust paused at this and debated weather he should answer the question. He didn't even consider making up a lie, Vaggie always could tell when he was trying to bullshit her. Secretly it was one of the things he loved about her, if only it weren't working against him now.
"Well, I'm waiting?"
…
"I did it for you Vags. For Charlie too, but mostly for you."
Out of all the answers she could have received, she wasn't prepared to hear that. Before she could interrupt he continued.
"I seen the way you looked at me whenever you saw an ad for my latest show or movie, or gang bang. Yeah you were mad, and sad too, but behind all that there was disappointment. Somehow that hurt worse than anything else. I never, ever cared about what people though about me, not when I was alive, and not after I came to hell. Not until I met you.
So for the past few months or so I haven't been going back to the studio. Let some other sluts make the pictures. But I had to get Val his money somehow, and the only other way I ever earned serious cash is by working the streets. I can tell it's pissin' Val off royal, but I don't care. Every day your not lookin' at me with those disappointed eyes is worth it."
Vagatha was floored. As she processed what she had just herd her eye had begun to glisten, and she climbed furthur onto the bed. Straddling him, she wrapped her arms around him and pulled her spider into a hug. A sharp inhale made her lighten up, but not release the embrace.
"Angel if I ever get angry with you, good. It means I still care."
Finally letting go, she stood up and walked towards the door.
"I'll get you something to eat. You need to start getting your strength back."
"Hey, before ya go, where's my phone?"
"In a safe place. That purple asshole is not going to bully you while your here, and you are not going back to work. Not like that. Consider this an intervention."
"What?! Wait Vags, no-"
But she was already out the door. Angel struggles trying to get to his feet, but is so weak he can't even sit up. He gives up after a few tries, effectively trapped by his own exhaustion.
Back in the lobby Charlie, Nifty and Husk are discussing what happened with Angel Dust.
"I didn't know Angel's problem had gotten this bad. I always knew he was one of Valentino's employees, and everything that entailed, but he always seemed to take care of himself pretty well. I never thought he would get to this point."
"From what you told me he sounds pretty bad. So many cuts and bruises, how long is it gonna take to recover from all that?"
"Before we all go getting bent outta shape, we'd do well to remember he did this to himself."
"Husk! How could you say that?! Don't you have a heart!?"
"None that wasn't pickled along with the rest of me decades ago. *Sigh* Look princess, despite his constantly being a pain in my ass, I don't enjoy seeing Angel like this. But you have to remember he made his own bed when he signed that contract with Valentino. When you sign a contract with an overlord you have to cover your ass, and know what your getting into. And if you don't, well, we're seeing firsthand just what can happen."
"Husk! You- Er- Uh-"
Charlie tried to disagree but couldn't deny his logic. It was Angel Dust that had made the contract with Valentino, so as much as she hated to admit it, it was ultimately Angel's own decisions that had brought him here.
"Oh, your right. I wish I could do more, but what can I do?"
"Hey, if it's any consolation, he's got his girlfriend taking care of him. I know for a fact she's not gonna let anything happen to him. He'll be alright."
"I hope so."
Feeling useless Charlie left for her office, while Nifty, not being needed, went off to amuse herself. As for Husk, he simply slumped back over the counter and kept doing what he did best.
A short while later
…
*BANG!*
"What the fuck!"
The doors to the Hotel slammed open, smashing against the walls with such force they were almost embedded into them.
"WHO THE HELL DID- that."
Husk shouted, cutting himself off when he saw just who it was.
"ANGEL! WHERE ARE YOU, YOU GOOD FOR NOTHING SLUT!"
Valentino boomed as he scanned around the lobby. Quickly spotting Husk, the overlord storms over to the check in desk and slams his hands into the counter.
"YOU! WHERE THE FUCK IS MY BITCH!"
He demanded, but the cat was unphased. Decades of alcoholism and dealing with Alastor had given him an immunity to overlords trying to intimidate him.
"Fuck off. Angel's not going with you so stop wasting my time and crawl back into whatever furry pink sewer you crawled out of."
*SLAM!*
Husk's bold statement was answered by being lifted off his feet and slammed into the wall behind him, shattering shelves and bottles in the process. Pink smoke begins to leak from the overlord's maw and into Husk's face as he spoke again.
"Now you really don't want to talk to me that way pussy. I'm gonna give you one last chance to play nice, now you be a good kitty and tell me where Angel is."
For a few moments Husk does nothing, doing his damnedest to resist the overlord's power. But as he is forced to inhale the smoke longer and longer he finds his willpower melting away. After a few more seconds he raises his arm to point to the ground floor hallway.
"R-r-room five."
"There's a good kitty."
Valentino says as he drops the cat and walks to the ground floor hallway. Just around the corner Vagatha is carrying a tray back to her room-
*Crash!*
-which she promptly drops when she sees who is walking towards her. Without thinking she summons her spear and runs in front of the doorway.
"Well now, you must be that little old bug that crawled her way into Angel's web. Much as I'd like to meet & greet ya, I got business with him that won't wait. Move."
"No! You've tortured Angel for long enough! I won't let you hurt him anymore!"
"I don't remember you havin' a say in this little lady. I have a contract with him, and that means he is mine! And nobody gets in the way of me collecting what's mine. Not the other overlords, not nobles, and sure as hell not you! Last chance bug, move. Now."
"No."
As Vagatha steeled her stance and prepared for the fight of her life the door opened behind her.
"Stop!"
Vagatha turned to see Angel Dust, having moved from the bed by willpower alone.
"Angel! What are you doing, get back to bed!"
"No! Vaggie you can't do this. I know you want to fight him but trust me, if you try it he'll kill you!"
"I won't let him hurt you again!"
"I know you want to protect me but this ain't a fight you can win. Neither of us stand a chance against him. Vaggie Val's got nothin' against you. I won't let you get on an overlord's shit list because of some worthless slut like me!"
"I can't lose you! Angel if you go with him I may never see you again!"
Shouted the grey moth, her emotions threatening to overcome her stoic demeanor even now.
"I know. But if I don't leave with him now you definitely won't. I love you too much to let you get mixed up with him."
Replied the anguished spider, desperately whispering the latter half directly into her ear. With grim resignation the spider turns to face his employer.
"Enough! I'll go with you, just don't hurt her."
"Get your ass in the limo. Now. Kiss this place goodbye Angel, because by the time your done learning your lesson and making back all the scratch you owe me, you won't recognize the outside world."
As the overlord and his slave turn to leave, watched by a moth who felt her heart tearing to shreds by the moment, a new voice interrupted the scene.
"Is there a problem here ma'am?"
Vagatha's eye shot wide open as a forlorn hope filled her. There was no way she could beat Valentino on her own, but if they took him on together they might last until Charlie arrived. She knew Tafford well enough to know he wouldn't be a slouch in combat, even against an overlord. And if he died well, she was willing to throw him under the bus to save the man she loved. There were reasons she was in hell after all. So with fear and desperation suffusing her very being, she raised her voice and said,
"YES! Mr. Tafford, this man broke into the building and is trying to take Angel! Stop him!"
"Yes ma'am."
The stalwart guard immediately relied, approaching the pimp.
"Sir, please step away from Mr. Dust and keep your hands where I can see them. You will be escorted to the edge of the property, do not resist."
"Hardcase no, don't do this! I know your tough and all but Val will mop the floor with ya! Don't do it!"
Angel Dust interjected. Tafford however wasn't phased.
"Mr. Dust, please stay out of this. Miss Vagatha, would you take Mr. Dust here back to his room, he doesn't need to be here for this."
Tafford addressed first the overlord, then the spider, and finally his boss. Vagatha didn't need to be told twice, and despite his many objections, she half led half carried Angel back to their room and into bed. His voice was calm yet firm. Valentino only chuckled as he watched the little conversation unfold before him, this guy obviously didn't know who he was dealing with.
"Well now, that almost sounded like an order. Look here crew cut, I don't know who you think you are but you do not try to boss around an overlord. Least of all me. Now, hard as it is to believe, you obviously don't know who I am. Now, because I'm so generous, I'm gonna cut you a little slack. Why don't you be a good little trooper and go be someone else's problem, hmm."
The red cloaked pimp said as more pink smoke leaked from his maw and blew into Tafford's face. The guard's nose wrinkled at the stench, but otherwise appears unaffected.
"Adaptive pheromones, I'm not impressed."
Valentino paused at this. Not every demon could resist his smoke. And of those who could, there were few who could brush it off so easily, not even being affected. Not that it mattered.
"Hmm, not bad boy. Not bad, but nowhere near good enough. But like I said, I am a damn overlord, you don't stand a chance against me. I'm gonna give you one last shot. Turn around, fuck off, and go bother someone else."
"I can't do that sir. Now please, get moving."
Valentino went quiet at that making no move, to the exit or otherwise. Suddenly, the overlord rushes forward and delivers a straight punch with his right arm, with enough force to hopefully cave in his skull. Hopes that would be dashed as Tafford deflects the blow with his right forearm and delivers a left hook of his own.
"Ghrn!"
Grunted the overlord as he was pitched against the door to his right. Stumbling for a bit he quickly recovers his balance and lunges back at the guardian. Tafford grapples with the purple pimp for a moment before throwing him a little ways down the hall, giving both combatants a bit of breathing room.
Valentino's arms and legs elongate as his fingers become sharp, claw like appendages. His eyes become more insect like and he generally becomes more lithe and agile as elements of his demon form emerge for the fight. The Vee hadn't used his demon form in years, mainly because it hadn't been necessary. When was the last time he had been confronted so directly?
For Tafford's part, he only cracked his knuckles and steeled his resolve. He was no stranger to gangsters and bruisers who thought they were tough shit. This is where the fun begins.
*Swipe- Swipe!* *Whiff* *Slice!* *Bam!*
Down the hall the two fought, trading slashes and fists. As Tafford was only wearing his security vest over his work fatigues he was forced to bob, weave, and evade rather than block the strikes as he had with Valentino's punch. Small cuts and slashes appeared on his shoulders, legs, and other bits, but never more than a glancing blow.
Even so Tafford was holding his ground, and even slowly managing to push back the piece of purple filth. No mean feat for an average sinner.
*Bam!* *Pow!* *Swipe-Slice!* *Whiff*
For Tafford, this was another day at the office. Back at the Knock and Stagger he dealt with drunks and tough guys like this all the time. That being said, the purple moth was an overlord, and put up the fight you would expect. He was stronger, faster, and hit harder than any drunk ever could. But Tafford was no slouch either, and little by little he began to wear the pimp lord down.
For Valentino however this was an unacceptable annoyance. Ever since he had come to hell the Vee had been powerful. Hardly any demon could stand against him, and of the few who could, two were now his partners. He was above the puny little sinners like the demon facing him, so why wouldn't he just GO DOWN?!
The fight continued on for a few good minutes with Valentino trying trick after trick to end this one guard. But the confined space of the hallway limited his movment and so prevented him from fighting at his best. The fight reached the lobby, and seeing where they were, his patience ran out. Calling up more of his power than he wanted, the overlord went with a new tactic.
~Hissssssssssssss- *Chang!*
Pink smoke snaked from Valentino's maw and entangled Tafford's limbs, a sound like a chain being heard as Tafford's legs were pulled out from under him. Ensnared by bindings of pink energy, Tafford was pulled off his feet and to the ground.
*Stab!*
Where he was promptly shanked deep by Valentino's clawed hand. The overlord cackled deeply as he stood pinning the man to the floor, finally gaining the upper hand. He was about to speak again when-
*Shank!*
"YEAAAAAAAAAH!"
A spear was thrown from down the hallway, sinking deep into his right shoulder. Seeing his opportunity Tafford wasted no time in grasping the shaft and using it as a handle to push the purple moth off of himself. As the guardian rose the pain of the spear driving ever deeper caused Valentino to lose concentration, breaking the arcane chains around Tafford's ankles. The man then swung weapon and all around himself, throwing Valentino across the room. As the overlord went flying the head of the spear was violently ripped out, taking most of the shoulder along with it. Sparing only a glance behind him, Tafford threw Vagatha back her spear and rushed towards the aggressor. The pimp had crumpled to a heap on impact, but quickly rose to his feet eager to mutilate the two who kept him from taking what was his.
*Whiff* *Slash!* *Whiff-Bam!* *Thrust-Thrust* *Slash!* *Pow!*
The brawl continued as Vagatha joined the fray. The purple Vee fought fiercely, almost desperate to just kill these two and be done with it. He was an OVERLORD for hell's sake! This defiance couldn't stand, no COMMON SINNER had ever lasted this long in a straight fight against him before! He was the king pimp of the pride ring, he couldn't fail! SO WHY WAS HE LOSING!?
He was forced to divide his attention between contesting the space with Tafford and dodging strikes from Vagatha's spear. Alone, either one of them would have been gutted or torn to ribbons by now, but together they formed a bulwark against the overlord that he struggled to overcome. A fight he was slowly losing. Finally,
Slash- *Grab* *CRACK!*
"YEAAAAAA-"
*Stab-Stab*
"-AAAAAAAAAH!"
One of the pimp's swings went a little too wide giving Tafford the opening to grab the arm and snap it, followed by Vagatha immediately using the opportunity to stab out the overlord's legs. The pimp collapsed again, but this time two pairs of hands grabbed him on either side and threw him from the still open doors.
"AND STAY OUT YOU ARROGANTE POLLA CHUPANDO PEDAZO DE MIERDA!"
Shouted the grey moth while Tafford glared on silently.
"Uugh. Nngh. Eh, heh, heh heh heh. I don't know what the fuck your so proud of doll. Do you honestly think a little old bug with a stick and one bruiser can beat me? Ha! If that's what you think then y'all are even more stupid then that dumbass princess of yours. My slut may not be coming back with me right this second, but that's just a matter of time. I'm gonna gather my boys, and we're gonna burn this stupid ass hotel to the ground! And there ain't shit y'all can do about it!"
The overlord threatened as his voice changed to a dangerous, sickly, faux soothing tone. He quickly jumped back into his limo, which was waiting nearby, and drove away.
"What was that?"
Came a familiar voice behind them. Turning, the pair saw Charlie and Nifty standing a midst the half wreckage of the lobby. Charlie was standing there with a shocked expression while Nifty was tending to Husk, who was still knocked out.
"It was Valentino, he came and tried to take Angel!"
"What?"
"Just now, he broke down the doors, injured Mr. Husk, and tried to take Mr. Dust back with him, probably to his studio."
Answered Vagatha, followed up by a question from Charlie and an explanation from Tafford.
"Oh no! Oh god, oh god, oh god, oh god! This is bad! Did he take Angel?"
"No, Tafford held him back long enough for me to get him to safety. Then the both of us were able to drive him off, for now."
"Oh, O.K. So there's one bit of relief, but what are we going to do now? He's obviously won't just take this lying down. What are we going to do when he comes back."
"I, I don't know. He said he was coming back with his gangs to burn this place to the ground. I always knew we'd have to defend this place at some point, but I never expected to be attacked by an overlord! Besides Al at least."
Tensed Vagatha, trepidation dripping from her voice. As the other occupants of the lobby tried to formulate a plan a midst rising panic, Tafford calmly stepped forward and addressed his twin employers.
"If I may."
He started getting the pair's attention.
"I have some ideas."
To Be Continued