Chapter 4: The Sun
Verosika and Loona quietly walked past the iron gates of Gluttony's cemetery. The large, nearly boundless place was built in a large valley south of the capital city of Honeywell that was far enough away to completely mute the busy sounds of Gluttony's traffic. The young hellhound gazed about the oddly calm and serene environment, her braided ponytail bobbing lightly behind her as she held Verosika's hand. The two walked in silence for a while, climbing up a slow incline of a hill before veering off to walk down a rather specific row before the two slowly stopped at a small, modest, and beautiful marble tombstone.
Selene Annamaria Caballero
March 21, 1985 - November 28, 2006
A loving mother who fought
With the strength of the Devil himself
Loona knelt in front of the grave, eyes misted over as she gently reached out with a shaky hand until her paw flattened against the smooth marble. She gently traced over the engraving, wishing that her memories weren't so… hazy. Sometimes she could remember her mother easily, but other times it was as if someone had covered everything with a blanket. She was lightly shaken out of her thoughts when a soft arm wrapped around her side, drawing her into a gentle hug against Verosika as the succubus handed Loona a gorgeous bouquet of red and white roses, letting the young girl do what she felt was right.
The hellhound quietly pulled out a single red rose from the bouquet, gently poking the stem of the flower into the dirt so it could comfortably rest against the tombstone. Her hands slowly withdrew to her lap as she gazed calmly at her mother's resting place. Loona bowed her head as the words struggled to come to mind as she bit her lip. "I…It's so beautiful here, mama." She murmured, tears dripping down her muzzle as she looked up with a small smile.
"I miss you... But I-I'm glad you can rest in peace. I was adopted last year!" She beamed, wiping her tears as she gently caressed her tombstone. "Daddy's been so amazing to live with. He reads me comic books, takes me to the park, and h-he's really funny." She reminisced, her tail swishing slowly behind her. The hellhound leaned further into Verosika's side as she hugged the succubus gently. "I also have a-another mama! Her name's Verosika and… I know you would have b-been besties like we are." She said softly, smiling as she nuzzled into the succubus' side.
Verosika smiled and leaned down to kiss Loona's forehead as she held her close. "I would love to be your mother's bestie. Every day I'm so thankful for knowing you, Loonie." She whispered, scratching the back of Loona's right ear with a soft smile as she did nothing to hide the tears streaming down her face.
The hellhound looked up at Verosika adorably holding onto her hand gently. "D-Do you think my mama would be mad if I call you… mom?" She asked shyly, wanting to find some way to love and respect her mother figures.
Verosika shook her head and ran her hand through the pup's hair lovingly. "Hmmm… Let me ask you something, Loona."
Loona nodded quietly, relaxing under the gentle petting and caressing.
"How big is your heart?" She asked softly.
The hellhound contemplated her question, ears twitching lightly as she pulled back and spread her arms as wide as she could. "This big."
Verosika laughed softly and scooped the hellhound into her arms, loving the fit of giggles she managed to get out of the hound. "Then you definitely have the space to have two moms, but that's not my decision to make. That's something for you to decide, sweetheart."
Loona frowned, ears flattening against her head. "B-But I like calling you mom too… You make me feel safe." She murmured, hugging her tightly and gazing up at her shyly. "When you tuck me into bed and sing me lullabies… you remind me so much of mama a-and I feel… loved." The hellhound whispered, tears sliding off her muzzle as she buried her face against Verosika's front in fear. Scared she would be reje– Her eyes widened when she felt Verosika lift her chin up.
The succubus smiled down at the anxious pup, tears still flowing freely down her face as she kissed her forehead and nuzzled their noses together. "Then it's settled. From here on out, I'll be your mom as long as you want me to." She said softly, pulling a handkerchief from her purse and gently dabbing away Loona's tears.
She smiled a wide, loving smile from ear to ear as she squeezed Verosika's hand. "Forever?" She asked as she held up her pinkie.
Verosika wrapped her pinkie finger around Loona's with a warm smile. "Forever and ever." She whispered, hugging the hellhound close until she felt something ruffling in her hair. The woman felt around her right ear only to smile as she felt a rose gently pressing against her ear. She grabbed a red rose and slowly tucked it behind Loona's right ear and cradled the young girl before standing up with her snuggled up in her arms.
Loona yawned softly, resting against Verosika's chest as she slowly felt her eyes flutter close. "I love you… mom…" She murmured, eyes closing fully as she fell asleep in her mother's arms.
She smiled and smooched her forehead gently. "I love you too, my sweet pup." She murmured, slowly returning towards the main path as she was glad to truly bond with the little girl she had taken on with an open heart.
~Break~
Loona slept deeply on the couch, nuzzling further into the cushions while her tail lazily swished behind her. She continued to rest until the morning light filled every crevice of the living room. The hound groaned and buried her muzzle into the couch as she tried to escape the light only for her ears to twitch at the sound of fabric moving around her. With a sigh, she sat up and scratched her ear only to feel the heavy leather jacket Blitzo usually wore slide off her shoulders.
She tiredly looks around the living room, not a single trace of the imp anywhere in sight. The hellhound stood up and folded his jacket before setting it down on the coffee table. "How does he always pull that off? I swear he's an escape artist first, and a clown second…" She mumbled to herself as she quickly freshened up in the bathroom before changing into something different.
The young woman groaned and stretched her back until she felt it smoothly pop into place. She rummaged through the kitchen only to smile at the still heated pot of coffee her father left her with a note attached.
'Give me a ring once you wake up. Love you.' She read, pouring herself a cup and adding her usual toppings before whipping her phone out and dialing Blitzo's phone while sipping at her coffee.
"Morning, Loonie!" Blitzo greeted warmly.
Loona yawned softly and smiled. "Morning, Dad. What's got you on the road so early?" She asked curiously.
Things were silent on the line for several moments before the imp spoke up. "I'm on my way to do some bodyguarding. It's something I've been doing on the side to make sure I.M.P.'s bottom line stays healthy." He explained smoothly.
The hellhound took a deep drink of her coffee and sighed. "Hopefully it's easy work for you. I'm going to meet up with Tex today and go to a concert."
Blitzo laughed and didn't think anything of her statement. "Sounds like fun. Tell Tex I said hello and try not to get into stupid shit." He teased.
She rolled her eyes and ran a hand through her hair. "We haven't gotten up into stupid shit since high school. Cut us some slack."
The imp chuckled softly. "Fine. I'll give you that much. Just be safe out there, okay?" He asked gently.
Loona put her coffee mug down for a moment as she yawned loudly. "I will. You got my word, Dad." She said sincerely, gazing down at her cup.
"We'll touch base later on, Loonie. Love you." He said softly, his attention clearly being paid to the road ahead.
She smiled softly. "Love you too. Talk to you later." The hound said before hanging up. She grabbed her coffee and finished it off before setting the cup in the sink and filling it up with water to rinse it.
Loona looked around the apartment and found everything in well enough order to stretch and pull her phone out as she gave Vortex a ring.
"Hey, Loo what's good?" He greeted warmly with that friendly deep baritone rumble he's known for.
"Just wanted to make sure we were still on for the Verosika concert." She said simply, heading into her room as she dug out her backpack from under her bed.
Vortex laughed. "Sure are. Don't forget to pack for a couple days since we get to enjoy the seaside suite she got us."
Loona rolled her eyes and chuckled. "Already packing the essentials as we speak. "
"Good. I'll swing by your place in the next hour or so and we can head on out." He explained with a soft yawn.
She shook her head. "Sounds good. Don't fall back to sleep on me you big lug." She chastised playfully.
Vortex groaned. "I won't. I won't. Just because I was known for falling asleep on command in high school, doesn't mean I'm still like that."
"You gonna argue against how many times you've fallen asleep at parties after getting drunk?" She asked with an incredulous tone in her voice.
The hound sighed. "Fine. I'll give you that. See you soon, Loona."
"Sounds good! Peace." She bid the hound farewell and hung up her phone as she continued packing whatever she might need for a three-day stay in Miami.
Once she had her bag packed and ready, the hound relaxed on the couch, laying across it lazily as she looked through the photos of the upcoming nights venue with a soft smile. The thought of finally getting to reunite with her mother after nearly seven years… it made her heart swell with a sense of longing she hadn't felt since before her adoption.
She grabbed her locket and opened it, smiling once again at the photo inside of it. "I love you mom. Can't wait to see you tonight." She whispered, her thumb brushing over the glass frame before being startled by her phone ringing. A glance over at the screen put a smile on her face as she answered the call.
"Hey Jimmy!" She greeted brightly, her tail swishing behind her as she felt excited to hear from the musician again.
"Good morning. Thought I'd call to find out about the search for your mom." He asked curiously, wanting to check in on the hound.
She twirled a finger around her hair and relaxed again on the couch. "I'm going to finally reunite with her tonight! Didn't know my best friend did bodyguard work for her 'till recently and he invited me to a VIP show in Miami."
Jimmy laughed brightly. "That's fucking great! All the guesswork taken right out. Gotta ask. What was it like having Verosika as your mom growing up?" He asked gently.
Loona looked down at the locket and smiled fondly at it. "She was great from the first day. I was kinda nervous and scared of her the first day we met." She confessed with an awkward laugh.
He snorted lightly at her confession. "Did you think she was gonna bite or something?" He teased her in turn.
She groaned, rolling her eyes as she made herself comfier on the couch. "In my defense, I had maybe been living with my dad for just a couple of weeks before I met her. He never mentioned her by name either… I think he just wanted to surprise me and didn't think about how anxious that'd make me." She gently explained.
Jimmy could be heard briefly tuning his guitar in the background. "In all seriousness, can't really blame you for getting nervous. New home, new family, and suddenly bam! Here's a celebrity you've probably known for a while and she's going to be your mom? Can't think of a lot of kids who could roll with all that in one go."
Loona closed the locket and stuffed it under her hoody as she stretched and yawned softly. "True. I also didn't see her as a mom on day one either. I was kinda… starstruck having her live with me at first until it kinda just became normal for me? I remember kids in school would be shocked whenever she picked me up from school or whenever she could make those lame ass reviews they did throughout the year." She laughed, remembering how boring those meetings could get whenever teachers tried dragging them out to just be able to talk to her mother.
He hummed, listening to her talk while strumming a gentle tune. "Seems like she took you under her wing from the onset though. What about your dad? You haven't said much about your old man."
She sighed and scratched her ear as she placed her phone on her chest so she could lay back fully with it on speaker. "We made up the other night. Like actually talked it out and shit… I'm really glad I took your advice."
The hellhound could practically feel the smile on the other end of the line. "See? Sometimes you gotta take the initiative and be the first to break the ice if you want things to get better." He laughed softly. "I'd understand if you still couldn't move past it had he made your attempt to meet in the middle pointless, but you did it there." He complimented.
Loona blew a loose strand of hair off her muzzle. "Honestly? It's made me realize I gotta make amends with the people in my circle. I spent too much time pushing them away and… I just don't want all this bad blood I put between the people I'm supposed to care about."
Jimmy stopped playing his guitar as he shuffled his seating position on the stool. "One step at a time. Especially with you wanting to go to rehab. Take everything as it comes and don't overfill your plate."
She nodded and took a deep breath. "Thanks, Jimmy. I feel like… Like you're the first guy in a long time to just be able to level with me." She confessed, biting her lip. "I really suck at the whole, being open with my feelings shit. It's…" Loona sighed, ran a hand through her thick locks. "The words just don't always come to me and I get so fucking in my head." The hound growled at herself in frustration.
He chuckled softly, not able to see the glare directed at him. "You've been doing pretty good at talking from the heart with me. Maybe cuz I don't have any skin in the game ya know? I'm a new face you've met and it's probably easier to get shit off your chest with me because of that."
Loona sat up on the couch, looking down at the ground with a neutral look. "I think you nailed it." She mumbled, leaning back against the plush couch. "When I get back from Miami… Let's hang out again. I wanna see you play instead of hearing you over the phone. Doesn't do you justice."
Jimmy laughed and put his guitar down. "Sounds like a plan. I might show you a new song I've been writing. Been thinking of taking another try at music. Not sure if I'm bringing back The Saints or going solo."
The hellhound stood up and felt her tail wag in excitement. "Really? I'd be fucking down for that!" She gushed, coughing as she realized how fan girly she sounded. "I mean, dope." She mumbled.
The hybrid laughed loudly, slapping his knee. "I like the excitement. I'll even let you play Lil' Red. I've never let anyone outside the band play her. You play guitar?"
Loona flushed lightly, heading to the living room and looking out at the flowing traffic of Imp City. "I know how to play. I don't play it as much as I feel I should." She explained.
He hummed lightly in thought. "No pressure, Loona. It'll be fun either way." She heard him fumbling with something and groaning in annoyance. "Sorry to cut the call short, but I gotta get going. Forgot about a meeting with the label."
She smiled softly. "It's okay. I'll call you as soon as I'm back in town."
"Have a fun trip. I'm looking forward to hearing all about your family reunion."
Loona laughed. "Good luck with the label. They better be supporting you."
She hung up the call and looked out the window again only to notice the familiar four door HellCat smoothly pull up in front of the apartment. Her phone buzzed in her hand briefly and she unlocked the screen.
I'm downstairs L
Aight. Just gotta lock up. Brb
Word
Loona checked the apartment one last time before turning off the coffee machine, grabbing her backpack, and locking the door behind her as she practically skipped her way downstairs and onto the sidewalk. She opened the passenger door and slid in, easily chucking her bag in the back and pulling Vortex into a warm hug.
Vortex laughed and hugged her back. "You look ready to hit the beach." He teased.
The husky laughed and rolled her eyes. "I'm more pumped to finally see my mom again. It feels like everything's been building up to this moment." Her tail flicked about excitedly as she made herself comfy and buckled in.
He nodded and scratched at his chin. "I'm more surprised V never brought you up. But I can't say I blame her with how nosy everyone tries to be about her whole life."
Loona nodded quietly, gazing out the window. "Yeah… Growing up, people constantly tried asking me really private things about her. You really do learn fast how not to tell people anything about you." She admitted with a shrug.
Tex kept his eye on the road, getting onto the highway as rock music softly played in the cabin. "Also explains why you never told me she was your mom growing up. I really don't fault you for it though, Loona." He said sincerely, playfully punching her shoulder.
She grunted lightly and punched him back with a smirk. "I was honestly warming up to telling you way back when… but things kinda fell apart between her and dad." She sighed and took a look at her phone before perking up. "Could we maybe make a coffee stop before we go to her studio?"
He nodded, moving over several lanes and taking the usual exit as he drove through the much nicer end of Imp City. "Yeah. My treat." He offered.
Loona smiled and stretched her legs with a soft yawn. "Thanks. Need a little more caffeine with everything going on today."
The two settled into a comfortable, familiar silence that had always been a part of their friendship. Tex was the only friend she could completely mellow out with and just watch the world happen around them. He pulled up to one of their usual coffee spots and ordered her favorite caramel crunch grape and his usual French vanilla latte before pulling up at the studio and parking in the lot.
Vortex stepped out of the car and stretched briefly. "Good thing I got an Asmodeous crystal, beats having to waste the day trying to catch the Hellivator." He grunted as he pulled out the crystal and opened a portal in front of his car.
Loona grabbed her backpack and walked around the car to stand next to him. "After you, pendejo." She teased, bumping her hips against his as the tall hound stumbled for a moment before pushing on through the portal with a chuckle as he engaged his human disguise.
She focused her magic and did the same, following behind Tex only for the portal to immediately close behind her as the two walk outside of a parking garage. The pale skinned woman stepped out into the sidewalk and smiled as she felt the warm sun against her skin. "Miami is way better than LA. I can actually smell the oxygen out here." She laughed.
Vortex laughed and playfully punched her shoulder. "Let's go checkout downtown before you start begging me to let you tan on the beach." He teased as he started walking down the massive sidewalk.
Loona gave the beach one last glance before rolling her eyes and following after the disguised hound. "You say that like it's a band thing. My pale ass actually would benefit from a tan if you ask me." She chuckled and fell in step with Tex as she took in the sights and people.
~Break~
The two hounds wandered through the bustling streets of downtown Miami, taking in the sights and sounds of the vibrant city. Unlike the near-perpetual gloomy-looking skies of hell, the sun shone brightly overhead, casting a warm glow on the colorful buildings and bustling sidewalks. As they strolled along, Loona couldn't help but marvel at the energy of the city, the mix of cultures, and the lively atmosphere. Given that Vortex had prior experience with the city with all the security work he's done over the years, it made it easy for him to show her many beautiful spots hidden in between the glass and concrete that seemingly made up every inch of Miami.
As Loona and Vortex continued their exploration of downtown Miami, they stumbled upon a massive, gleaming mall that stretched out before them like a glittering palace of commerce. The building sparkled under the Floridian sun, its glass façade reflecting the azure sky and the bustling city around it. Towering palm trees lined the entrance, adding a touch of tropical elegance to the urban landscape.
Loona's eyes widened in awe as she took in the sight before her, her jaw dropping slightly. The sheer size and grandeur of the mall left her momentarily speechless, her usual confident demeanor replaced by a star-struck expression. The dazzling array of storefronts, the vibrant advertisements, and the promise of endless shopping opportunities beckoned her with irresistible allure.
Vortex chuckled softly at Loona's reaction, a playful smirk tugging at his lips as he watched her gaze around in wonder. "Looks like you've found your happy place, Loona," he teased, nudging her gently with his elbow. "Feel free to go explore. It's your sh–"
Before he could finish his sentence, Loona's excitement bubbled over, and she practically grabbed Vortex's arm, her eyes shining with anticipation. "Come on, Vortex! You can't tease me with a mall this incredible and expect me to resist! Let's go!"
With a mixture of amusement and fond exasperation, Vortex allowed himself to be dragged along by his enthusiastic best friend. As they entered the mall, Loona's spirits soared, her earlier fatigue forgotten in the face of the shopping haven that lay before her.
The interior of the mall was a shopper's paradise, with high-end boutiques, bustling cafes, and a dazzling array of stores selling everything from designer fashion to quirky souvenirs. The ambient sound of chattering shoppers, soft music, and the distant murmur of fountains created a lively and inviting atmosphere.
Loona's eyes darted excitedly from one store to another, only for her eyes to focus on a massive two-floor record store. She walked up to the main entrance and gave the see-through venue another look-over. "I feel like I'm in heaven." She mumbled, walking right on in as she nearly beelined it for the massive wall of rock music.
Vortex trailed behind her, amused by her infectious enthusiasm and genuine excitement. He watched as she openly interacted with other shoppers and even offered recommendations to a couple of people. He found himself failing to hide the smile as he watched her enjoy herself like old times. Her demeanor had definitely swung back to something more familiar and as he added another bag to carry for her, he chuckled quietly to himself. He knew for a fact that the prospect of reuniting with her mom had her spirits high and he wasn't about to get in the way of that.
As they wandered from one end of the mall to the other, Loona's initial star-struck awe gradually transformed into a relaxed and contented happiness. She felt rejuvenated and energized by the experience, her earlier fatigue replaced by a renewed sense of vitality. After a few hours of exploring, Vortex and Loona found themselves sitting in a cozy café, sipping on refreshing drinks and sharing a plate of delicious pastries. As they relaxed in the comfortable ambiance of the café, Loona turned to Vortex with a grateful smile.
"Thanks for indulging me, Vortex," she said, her eyes sparkling with gratitude. "Today was incredible. I haven't felt this relaxed and happy in a long time."
Vortex smiled back at her, his eyes warm with affection. "Anytime, Loona. It's always a pleasure to see you happy. Plus, I have to admit, it was fun watching you get so excited." He said sincerely as he stretched gently in his chair.
Loona looked down at her phone and hummed. "It's getting pretty close to the concert. Wanna go for a walk on the beach before we pull up at the venue?" She asked curiously.
He nodded and stood up, grabbing the empties and tossing them in the bin before moving to walk side by side with her. As Vortex went to hook his arm around Loona's, a confident Latina woman sashayed towards them, her eyes locked on Vortex. With a toss of her glossy hair, she greeted him with a flirtatious smile. "Hey, guapo!" she purred. "¿Por qué estás con esta gringuita? You should be spending your night with someone like me~"
(Hey, handsome! Why you hanging out with this little white girl? You should be spending your night with someone like me~)
Loona's cheeks flushed with a mixture of anger and determination. She tightened her grip on Vortex's arm and turned around to face the woman, her eyes flashing with defiance. "¿Por qué no te ocupas de tus asuntos y te preocupas por ti mismo? No eres especial por hablar español en Miami, puta perra." She growled, her sharp canines practically glinting under the fading light of the sun.
(Why don't you mind your business and worry about yourself? You're not special just because you speak Spanish in Miami, you dumb bitch.)
The woman's eyes widened in disbelief, her confident demeanor faltering as she processed Loona's sharp retort. She glanced nervously between Loona and Vortex, lost for words and clearly out of her depth. Instead of saying anything, she simply turned around and walked away, her head looking down as she tried to hide her embarrassment.
Vortex looked down at Loona, a mix of surprise and admiration in his eyes. He gave her a supportive nod, silently expressing his gratitude for her quick thinking and assertiveness. With a triumphant smile, Loona once again linked her arm with Vortex's, her heart pounding with a sense of victory. As they walked away, she felt pride for defending herself and Vortex against the woman's rude comments.
"You know," Vortex chuckled, breaking the silence, "I didn't know you were fluent in Spanish, Loona. That was pretty impressive."
Loona shrugged, a mischievous grin playing on her lips. "One of the many perks of having Verosika as a mom… She taught both of us Spanish as a way to pay respect to my biological mother and connect with my roots."
Vortex nodded, his eyes softening with understanding and respect. "That's dope. Seriously. Thanks for having my back, L." He murmured, gently tugging her away from the mall.
She hugged his arm gently as they continued walking. "Anytime, you big lug. You know I'm always here for you."
~Break~
As Verosika took the stage, the atmosphere in the venue reached a fever pitch. The stage lights burst into a dazzling display, casting a mesmerizing kaleidoscope of colors across the arena. The crowd erupted in cheers and applause, their anticipation reaching a crescendo.
With a radiant smile, Verosika stepped forward to address the ecstatic audience. "Good evening, Miami Beach! Are you ready to make some unforgettable memories tonight?" Her voice was vibrant and full of energy, effortlessly capturing the attention of every person in the venue.
She continued, seamlessly transitioning into Spanish, "¡Buenas noches, Miami! ¿Están listos para crear recuerdos inolvidables esta noche?" Her words resonated with warmth and excitement, drawing enthusiastic responses from both English and Spanish-speaking fans alike.
The crowd's response was deafening, their cheers echoing throughout the arena. Verosika's charismatic presence and multilingual greeting had instantly united the diverse audience, setting the stage for an electrifying performance. Amidst the roaring applause and excited chatter, Loona felt her heart swell with anticipation and pride. This was her mother, a musical powerhouse, captivating an entire audience with her charisma and charm. The connection between Verosika and her fans was palpable, a testament to her undeniable talent and the universal appeal of her music.
As Verosika launched into her first song, a wave of euphoria washed over Loona. The music enveloped her like a warm embrace, drawing her into its hypnotic rhythm. With each song, she felt herself slipping further into a state of blissful abandon, the worries of the world melting away under the spell of her mother's music.
The crowd's enthusiasm was infectious, their cheers and applause reverberating throughout the arena. Loona couldn't help but join in, her voice blending harmoniously with the chorus of fans, feeling at ease as she couldn't keep the wide smile pulling at her lips. Several songs in, she felt a playful bump to her hips and laughed when Vortex came up to her with a pair of solo cups. She shouldn't drink… but what was the harm in just having a couple of beers to keep her nerves at bay. The hellhound mouthed a thank you and took a deep sip of the cold beer.
However, as the show progressed and the drinks continued to flow, Loona's perception of the world began slowly down into a euphoria of catchy music and warm lights. With every drink she guzzled down, everything felt better and more alive. Despite her better judgment, she continued to indulge, the intoxicating allure of the moment proving too potent to resist. With every song, her clear and loud voice slurred more and more until the crowd drowned her out.
As Verosika's performance reached its climactic finale, she took a moment to address her VIP show-goers. "Don't forget to get in line for the meet and greet after the show!" she reminded them, her voice filled with warmth and gratitude. "Thank you all for being here tonight. Have a great night, everyone!"
Loona found herself entangled in a whirlwind of music and movement. The world around her dissolved into a dazzling blur of lights and colors, her inhibitions swept away in a torrent of excitement and excess. Yet, amid the euphoria and laughter, a small voice of caution persisted in the recesses of her mind. She was acutely aware that she was pushing her limits, but in the throes of an amazing concert, the intoxicating blend of music and excitement proved too compelling to ignore.
Loona stumbled out of the VIP section, her head swimming and her heart pounding in her chest. Despite the lingering unease, Loona couldn't help but feel a profound sense of gratitude for the experience. It had been an unforgettable night, a chance to lose herself completely in the music and get to see her mother perform after such a long time. She leaned against Vortex who held her up with ease.
"You okay, Loona? I think you went a little heavy on the drinks." He playfully chastised.
She giggled and hiccuped as the two made their way out of VIP seating and onto the meet-and-greet line on the beach, doing her best to stay steady. "I'm… I'm good. I just wanna see Mom already." She murmured, shuffling with the flow of the line.
As Loona leaned on Tex for support, her head spinning from the combination of alcohol and the overwhelming emotions of the night, she felt herself growing increasingly unsteady on her feet. The line for the meet and greet seemed to stretch on forever, each step forward feeling like a monumental effort.
just as they neared the front of the line, Loona's vision began to blur. She panted quietly as she felt off, her body increasingly feeling numb and heavier than lead. Her feet practically dragged through the sand as Loona smiled at the sight of Verosika before falling face-first against the sand. She pushed herself onto her elbows and shook her head slowly as she managed to get onto her knees before planting softly against the warm sand again completely still. The disguised hellhound grunted softly, eyes flickering as Verosika faded in and out of her vision as everything faded into a thick curtain of darkness.
Verosika's eyes widened in shock, gently pushing the fan in front of her aside as she stared at the young woman in silence. Tex immediately sprang to action as he turned her onto her back and pressed his ear against her chest with a look of dread.
"Everyone stand back! She's not breathing!" He ordered, hands clasping over her heart as he began to give her chest compressions, ears listening for a pulse before leaning down to give her oxygen as he alternated.
Blitzo quietly finished a cigarette backstage when his head snapped at the sound of panicked screaming. He activated his Asmodean crystal and jogged over to the VIP gates only to feel his heart drop at the sight of Tex working tirelessly to keep his daughter alive. He discreetly pulled out his hell phone and called for an ambulance to the venue.
He walked over to Tex and kneeled down, pressing two fingers against Loona's neck as a deep sigh of relief escaped him. "Good job, Tex. You literally just saved her life." he commended silently, getting up as he sternly sent the fans away in time for an ambulance to pull up in reverse.
The disguised imp moved aside as the paramedics gently rolled her onto a gurney before loading her into the ambulance. His heart pounded like thunder, but his stoic face did a good job not betraying his fear as he heard the quiet sobbing of the pop star. He walked over to her and gently squeezed her hands.
Blitzo softly spoke to her as he stood in front of her. "Let's go. Your crew can pack everything up. Loona needs us." he encouraged, letting her shakily hold his arm as he led her away to his van.
Verosika stood there quietly in shock, tears running down her face. "B-But… You said she wasn't going to show up…" she hiccuped, her eyes staring down at the sand blankly.
He frowned slightly and gently pulled her by her hands to turn her around. "I swear I didn't know she was going to this show. She just told me that Tex and her planned to go to a show. Not a word about where or who was playing." He explained softly, eyes looking at the sand.
She squeezed his hands back, trying to clear her throat but failing miserably. The succubus took several deep breaths to steady herself, gazing down at the quiet imp in front of her. "Look… I… I appreciate you trying to make it up to me what you did then. I appreciate you owning your mistakes… I'll put my feelings aside f-for Loona. Our daughter. Agreed?" She whispered.
Blitzo felt his eyes watering as he looked up at his former lover with an unreadable look. "Agreed. I'll drive us to the hospital if you open a portal." He offered, letting go of her hands as he started heading over to the van.
Verosika walked over to Tex and shakily placed a hand on his shoulder. "T-Thank you, Tex." She murmured.
Vortex looked down at the shaken succubus and gently pulled her into a hug as he rubbed her back. "Anytime. Go with Blitzo. I'll wait for you at the hospital."
She shook her head and frowned lightly. "Please don't. Just go home tonight and we'll lin–"
"I'm waiting for you downstairs. I'm not putting all this stress on you. Loona's like a sister to me. I'm not turning my back at her lowest hour. Go with Blitzo and I'll join you guys soon. Please." He pleaded with her, gazing at her seriously as she huffed and gently pushed him.
"Why do you gotta be such a good friend?" She mumbled as she gave him one last hug. "Well catch up later tonight." She said before nearly running after the patient imp who waited quietly in the running van.
Loona groaned weakly as her vision became a Vaseline-smeared mess of lights and out-of-focus shapes as she kept fading in and out. She tried to sit up, but one of the paramedics gently kept her down, leaning down with a wet cloth as they kept wiping the sweat off her forehead.
"It's okay, Miss Wire. You're in good hands… just work with us while we get you help." A soft-spoken voice assured gently.
She groaned and blinked her eyes weakly, her ears laying flat against her head as she felt an oxygen mask be slipped over her muzzle while the two medics attending to her kept going over her vitals. Their words slowly slurred together and at times, came through clear. The hellhound shuddered and tried to move only to feel the paramedic gently grasp her hand.
"Squeeze my hand if you can understand me, Hun." She heard that same womanly voice speak up. Loona weakly squeezed, feeling the last of her strength fading as she breathed slow and deep.
"Just focus on your breathing and squeeze my hand." She instructed patiently.
Loona slowly felt her tears drip down her muzzle as her eyes slowly fluttered closed one last time.
"Mom…" she mumbled, the dizzying lights and sounds finally fading into darkness.