Alastor's been on an emotional roller coaster of emotions these past few days, every time he would see Angel in the lobby, his stomach would do flips. He started to see Angel as something more than a free-loading prankster. But he had no idea why he was feeling this way. He had to keep his emotions in check around Angel, not wanting to draw any attention. He would often walk by Angel's room listening to him playing with his pet piglet or dancing to some old jazz songs. Alastor liked seeing that side of Angel; the side where he saw Angel's pure smile and joy before all of the abuse with Valentino.
Angel mostly left his room to work with Kara at her club or attend therapy sessions with her. Other than that, he mostly kept to himself. He did like working at Kara's club; he got free drinks, no one was sexually harassing him, he could wear whatever he wanted, and he could perform without acting too sexy. Kara would be there to tell Angel that he was doing a great job or to comfort him after his "meetings" with Valentino. Kara thought of Angel as her younger brother; she didn't have siblings when she was alive. She did sometimes have to leave the Pride Ring for business, but no one knew where she went.
At least up until one day when Angel decided to join her. Kara let Charlie know that she was going out on business for a bit in another ring for the day. When Angel heard that she was leaving, he begged Kara to let him tag along for the day. "Angel, I don't know. I normally go by myself." Kara said.
"Come on, K! I've never been outside of Pride. It'll just be one day." Angel begged.
Kara sighed and then looked at her watch since she needed to take elevator 666 to get to the ring she was heading to. So, she agreed to take Angel with her; knowing that Angel would have followed her anyway. The two of them headed out to the elevator station where thankfully, they arrived just in time for the elevator to move. "So where are we heading? Greed? Sloth? Envy? Wrath?" Angel listed off a few of the seven rings.
"We are heading to meet an old friend in the Lust Ring," Kara answered.
Angel's eyes widened with stars in them; Lust Ring was filled with some of the sexiest demons there that work in nightclubs. Of course, Angel had heard stories from a few of the girls that used to work in the Lust Ring that it could also be a hot spot for stripers to be raped. When the elevator announced that they had arrived in Lust, both Angel and Kara walked out of the elevator. Kara had been to Lust a few times so she knew this ring like the back of her hand. She took Angel through the city and then they arrived at their destination, Ozzie's. The place looked like a replica of the Moulin Rouge club in the human world.
The bouncer let the two of them inside Ozzie's which was packed. "Oh my. And I thought Valentino's club was lively." Angel commented.
"Valentino is just a rip-off of the real Lord of Lust. Now then, he'll be waiting backstage. Stay close." Kara stated.
Angel followed Kara backstage where a lot of dancers were either chatting with each other or getting ready to perform. Some of them smiled or waved at Kara knowing who she was. The two reached a VIP room that led to the balcony of the club. When the two of them walked in, they came face to face with the embodiment of Lust himself, Asmodeus, and the jester imp, Fizzarolli. Angel had to compose himself so as not to freak out; Kara knew the King of Lust. Asmodeus took Kara's hand and then he kissed it as he welcomed her to his club. Even Fizz was excited to see Kara again.
"Oz, you don't have to act all royal around me. We're friends here." Kara said.
Angel's mouth dropped open, "How do you know the King of Lust?!" he asked with shock.
"Oh, Oz? He's the one who helped me find my passion for performing again. So, every now and then he asks me to do a little performance in his club." Kara answered.
"But I thought you didn't like demons that take advantage of others," Angel stated.
"Oz is different. Unlike Val, he treats all his employees with respect." Kara explained.
Angel was about to see how different Asmodeus was from Valentino. He asked Kara if she could fill in for Verosika Mayday just for today. The pop star was puking her guts out in her dressing room and having one hell of a hangover from too many drinks. Kara didn't mind taking Verosika's place, but she did ask if Angel could join her performance. Asmodeus didn't seem to mind that Angel could join Kara's performance. Fizz led both Angel and Kara to a personal dressing room that belonged to Kara. Angel was shocked at how nice Kara's dressing room was compared to the one he had at Val's studio.
The room had racks of different outfits from different styles for different performances along with props and accessories for each outfit. There were even framed photos on Kara's dresser of all of the people with whom she had interacted, plus a photo of her and Cherri Bomb from a Pride Festival. Since Angel and Kara were the same body size, she told Angel to pick whatever outfit he wanted to wear. Angel picked out a short red Marylin Monroe dress with white high heels. As Angel was getting changed, Kara went through her drawer which was lined with different kinds of makeup.
Angel now fully dressed in the red dress walked over to Kara. "How do I look, hon?" Angel asked.
"Perfect. Now come on over here and let me work my magic." Kara said, "And by magic, I meant makeup."
She had Angel sit down in front of the mirror and began doing his makeup and hair to look presentable. She gave Angel a smokey eyeshadow, cherry red lip gloss, rose blush, and eyeliner, and she managed to brush up all the knots in Angel's hair. By the time she was done, Angel looked both pretty and sexy. Kara made sure to change into a short black dress and did her makeup to perfection. Fizz knocked on the dressing room door letting Kara and Angel know that they were on in five minutes. Kara and Angel walked out of the dressing room and headed to the stage area.
"Ready to rock the house?" Kara asked Angel.
"You know it, baby," Angel said, confidently.
Fizz went up onto the stage to begin the show. "Alright, folks! We got a great lineup for you tonight and a special treat as well!" Fizz announced, "Now then, to get this show started, straight from Pentagram City, give it up for Kara Melody and Angel Dust!"
The crowd clapped Angel and Kara took to the stage just as the music started to play in a slow jazz tone then the spotlight shined on them. Some of the demons let out wolf whistles seeing the duo. Kara and Angel both started to do a sexy walk on the ramp as Kara sang.
When you are born with sex appeal
In a forest called Hollywood
You'll find more wolves at your backdoor
Than that Little Red Riding Hood
Now she and her little old grandma
Could have learned from the men I've dated
That a wolf can be quite a devotee
Angel joined in as the two pulled off a sexy shimmy.
Once he's domesticated!
The music suddenly picked up the beat as a few imp dancers joined in to dance along with Kara and Angel. So many demons were cheering or dancing along to the beat. Angel got up front and started to sing.
Here's a lesson they should teach in school
When a girl gets curvy, and the boys all drool
He made his point by twisting his curves in a sexy way.
If math and science just ain't your style
Just give that teacher a wink and a smile
Angel winked at a demon which made the guy almost swoon.
For a passing grade, you won't have to wait
And you can thank him later when you graduate
'Cause I never met a wolf who didn't love to howl!
[Ensemble howls!]
No, I never met a man who wasn't on the prowl
[ENSEMBLE]
Shimmy, shimmy, ah, gimme, gimme!
If a nice diploma you wanna get
Well, then, make that teacher the student's pet
Yeah, I never met a wolf who didn't love to howl!
Kara walked off stage and pretended to flirt with a pair of male imps as a part of her performance.
You never know where a wolf might crouch
But his natural habitat's the casting couch
So take lots of pictures of the wildlife
To tell the wolf you could share with his wife
She walked back up onto the stage.
The Hunter gets captured by the game
Then Leo the Lion will be roaring your name!
Kara started to do some pole dance moves to spice things up.
Yeah, I never met a wolf who didn't love to howl!
[Ensemble howls!]
No, I never met a man who wasn't on the prowl
[ENSEMBLE]
Shimmy, shimmy, ah, gimme, gimme!
If your face and figure are whistle-bait
Then, honey, you'll have the keys to the studio gate!
Yeah, I never met a wolf who didn't love to howl!
Kara got down from the pole then two dancers picked her up and put her on top of the piano.
[ENSEMBLE]
The three little piggies sure had it wrong
When the wolf came-a-knockin' with that old song
Kara joined in as Angel Sexy walked off stage.
He was huffin' and puffin' sayin' "Marilyn, I gotcha!"
I say "Come on in" and I put on Sinatra
Oh, Frankie!
Angel made his way to a table where an imp that seemed to be smitten with Angel.
A wealthy wolf likes to buy his toys
But he really is just one of the boys
Angel playfully stroked the imp's chin with his finger.
If you've got something for which he's cravin'
It sure is good that he's been savin'
Angel winked at the imp before he walked back onto the stage.
Be a fan, give his cheek a peck
But get his autograph on a cashier's check
Kara and Angel both rejoined each other and the two of them danced on poles for the big finale.
Yeah, I never met a wolf who didn't love to howl!
[Ensemble howls!]
No, I never met a man who wasn't on the prowl
[ENSEMBLE]
Shimmy, shimmy, ah, gimme, gimme!
This wolf looks like he's ready to dine
Tell me, where can I sign on the dotted line?
Yeah, I never met a wolf who didn't love to howl!
[Ensemble howls!]
Oh, yeah!
Both Angel and Kara finished their performance which got the crowd cheering, clapping, and some even whistling. Fizz joined them up onto the stage. "Holy Satan! That's getting the evening pumping! Thank you, Kara and Angel." he said as Angel and Kara exited the stage.
Angel was practically on cloud nine after performing. He never had so much fun dancing in his afterlife. Both Kara and Angel changed out of their costumes in the dressing room. When Angel was about to step out of the room, there was a bouquet of red roses with a little note addressed to Angel. Angel picked up the roses and read the note which was from that imp that Angel had walked up to, asking him if he wanted to go out on a date. This was something that had never happened to Angel, mostly demons just wanted him for sex. He brought the roses inside the dressing room and told Kara that someone asked him out.
"Angel, I don't know. Some imps that live in Lust tend to play with anyone's emotions for a good laugh." Kara warned.
"Come on, I've had anyone ask me out before without wanting sex," Angel begged.
"Angel, I just don't want to see you get hurt," Kara stated.
Unfortunately, Angel didn't listen to Kara and walked out to meet up with that imp. Just as he spotted the imp, he overheard something that broke his heart. Kara had been telling the truth, that sleazy imp only wanted to go out with Angel as a dare from his pals to sleep with Angel.
I don't know where I am
I don't know this place
Don't recognize anybody
Just the same old empty face
See these people, they lie
And I don't know who to believe anymore
But there comes you
To keep me safe from harm
There comes you
To take me in your arms
Is it just a game?
I don't know
Is it just a game?
I don't know
Angel left the roses on the floor and then ran back into the room. Kara and he left for Pride Ring and the hotel.
Pleading eyes that break my heart
So homesick I can't feel
But I know I must play my part
And tears I must conceal
The whole elevator ride, Angel was silent. He had to fight the urge to cry in public. All of those memories of him being used for nothing but sex hit him like a ton of bricks.
There comes you
To keep me safe from harm
There comes you
To take me in your arms
Is it just a game?
I don't know
To keep you safe from my bow
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Flames illuminate our faces
And we are on fire
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They're our only hope now
And now I know my place
And now I know my place
We're all just pieces in their games
When they arrived at the hotel, Angel let the tears loose as he made his way back to his room. Alastor noticed Angel crying so he asked Kara what happened on their outing. Kara told Alastor about how an imp played with Angel's feelings after their performance in Ozzie's. Alastor had the nerve to laugh at Angel's misfortune. "Stop laughing! This isn't something to laugh about!" Kara shouted at Alastor. "Just leave him alone for the rest of the night,"
"Pft, the irony makes it as funny as it is," Alastor stated as Kara walked away. "Even so, an expression that sour should only be given to him by me…"
Meanwhile, Angel was curled up in his bed with his pig, Fat Nuggets still crying. He heard a knock at his door; he thought that it was just Kara wanting to talk to him, he told whoever was at the door to go away. But it was Alastor who had appeared through the opened door, "Oh, and what will you do? Cry some more?" Alastor asked before laughing.
"Go away asshole!" Angel shouted with tears streaming down his face, "I'm not in the mood for you laughing at me, just leave!"
Alastor ignored Angel's request and then handed him a brown paper bag. He said that this was a gift. When Angel opened it, he saw that it was just a book. "What the hell am I supposed to do with this...?"
"Read it of course." Alastor said, rolling the R. "Try to get through it at about 3 AM, you'll understand. Besides the story is one most entertaining."
When Alastor left, Angel opened the book, thinking that there might be more of Alastor laughing at him. But when he opened to the first page, there was a sticky note on it from Alastor. It said, 'Don't allow some worthless demon to steal away your beautiful smile.' Angel felt his cheeks burn a little seeing this side of Alastor. He turned to the next page which had another note from Alastor. This one said, 'If you continue reading, you'll find more of these notes. Solve their puzzle.' Now that perked up Angel's interest and made him almost want to finish the book in one go.
As he kept reading the book, he found more notes from Alastor. With every note he found, the blush on his face kept getting redder and deeper. A few hours past when Angel read the book, and he came across the last note. The last note said, 'I hope you enjoyed these notes, my dear. Now remember not to share these around for my reputation will be tarnished. PS, that also means Kara since she likes to meddle with people.' Angel kept his promise and would not share the notes with anyone. Even though he thought that this gesture was sweet. Though he did try to figure out what puzzle Alastor had left him.
He found at least eight notes in nine and a half pages and the final note left out the words, Radio Demon. And the story he had just finished was about an FM radio show and lots of dying. A sudden light bulb went off, Angel quickly grabbed his radio from his biro and then tuned it to 89.5MHz. When he tuned it to the right station, he heard someone screaming and begging. He recognized that voice, that was the imp from Ozzie's that had tried to make a fool of him. Alastor was doing a late broadcast just for Angel.
"My dear, listening in, this one goes out to wipe the tears this worthless demon has caused you!" Alastor said on the radio.
Well, Alastor got his wish, and he did bring back Angel's real smile. Angel always thought that Alastor was just a killer, but it turns out, he was also a gentleman as well. The next morning, Angel was reading the book again when he heard Kara and Alastor arguing with each other about last night. "I cannot believe you!" Kara shouted.
"What? That demon was a much-awaited guest, and I wasn't about to cancel." Alastor said with a smile.
"Oh really?! Is that why I got a call from Fizzarolli saying that he and Asmodeus had heard screaming outside Ozzie's and found the body of an imp?! The same imp that messed with Angel?!" Kara screamed. "You and I have very different definitions of handling!"
Angel suddenly walked over to Alastor who asked Agel what he was doing. Angel stated that he just wanted to pay Alastor back. Angel then pulled Alastor by the collar closer until Angel kissed him right on the lips. He then walked away, "That's what you get motherfucker! Next time, don't laugh at me!" Angel shouted back before bursting into laughter.
Kara had to cover her mouth to prevent herself from bursting into laughter. Alastor twitched for but a moment; Kara could hear the sounds of radio static coming from him. Alastor saw something sticking out of his suit, so he pulled it out which was a note from Angel. The note said, 'You gave me my first real love notes. I'll never forget it. But I wanted to give you a first too. P.S. Don't kill me.' Alastor was a little touched by the note that he decided not to kill him.