Chapter 4-3: The Plus One
Previously: "Why don't you add some grapes to that board? They complement the cheese quite nicely," Alastor suggested, his voice dripping with faux helpfulness watching as the short brunette clenched her jaw, struggling to maintain her composure.
"I've got it covered," She snapped, her voice betraying her frayed nerves.
Alastor chuckled softly, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Just trying to help," he replied innocently, though the mischievous glint in his eyes said otherwise.
~Party, party! Join us, join us! (I'm not that great with focusing on a lot of characters so bare with me)~
As Lumina watched Alastor interacting with her friends, a mixture of frustration and disbelief churned within her. She had hoped that her friends would see through his facade, but instead, they were charmed by his smooth demeanor and witty banter. Alastor found himself engaging in conversations with her friends, effortlessly weaving in and out of their discussions with ease. He told stories, cracked jokes, and charmed them with his charisma. And to her surprise, they seemed to genuinely enjoy his company.
"So, Lumina," Lawrence said, taking a sip of his drink, "you never mentioned you had such an interesting friend. Where's he been hiding all this time?"
Lumina chuckled, glancing over to the demon in disguise. "Oh, you know how it is. We met by chance, and he's been causing trouble ever since."
Alastor smirked, a playful glint in his eyes as he raised his glass in a mock toast. "Guilty as charged," He quipped, eliciting laughter from the group. Alastor shot her a brief, irritated glance, but she met his gaze with an unaffected smile. For a brief moment, he felt a flicker of annoyance at Lumina's composed demeanor. He had expected her to be a nervous wreck, so up in her own head that she'd be distracted from the party, he even expected her to say something about their deal and reveal he's a demon. But instead, she remained steadfast and confident, her friends providing her with a sense of strength and security that he found irksome. Her little jabs at him being a nuisance in her life had him both amused and angered, she was looking at him with discontent and it was masked with that cutesy little smile of hers. It's infuriating!
Duke laughed, shaking his head in amusement. "Well, he seems like good company to me! You should keep him around."
Alastor had blinked twice, he was a little lost in thought, but looked down at the short brunette as her smile faltered for a moment, quickly recovering, nodding in agreement.
"Oh he'll be around, almost always. Because I'm so fantastic." She said flatly, with bitterness heavy in her voice. Her friends stared at her unmoving as she spoke, but broke into laughter. Them being tipsy made that seem hilarious, and she knew that, it felt less dreadful when she said these things. Alastor didn't care if she intimated slightly about their deal, though she knew he wanted more from her, she wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of seeing her turmoil. Just then she remembered something, everyone had eaten up her meatloaf rather quickly, which Alastor never touched. She was keeping her special beignets fresh and hot with the cooking grade heat lamp, so she quickly went to get them ready.
With a warm smile, Lumina made her way out of the kitchen, balancing two platters of the freshly made beignets with practiced ease. The sweet aroma of the pastries filled the air, drawing the attention of her guests as she approached the dining table.
"Alright, everyone," Lumina announced cheerfully, her eyes sparkling with pride, "Who's ready for dessert?"
As she set the platters down on the table, the guests gathered around eagerly, their mouths watering at the sight of the delectable treats. Lumina couldn't help but feel a swell of satisfaction as she watched them reach eagerly for the golden-brown pastries.
"Wow, Lumina, these look amazing!" Exclaimed Lonnie, her eyes lighting up with delight as she selected a beignet from the platter.
Lumina beamed at her friend's enthusiasm, her heart swelling with pride at the praise. "Thanks, Lonnie! I'm glad you like them."
One by one, her guests helped themselves to the beignets, their expressions turning blissful as they savored the sweet, flaky pastries. Lumina couldn't help but feel a surge of joy as she watched them enjoy her handiwork.
"Wow, Lumina, these are incredible!" Remarked Lawrence, his mouth full of pastry as he reached for another. "You should open up your own bakery!"
Lumina laughed, the sound light and melodic. "Well I do, I love it but it's only a hobby." The short brunette glanced up at Alastor, her expression unreadable as she offered him one of the freshly baked beignets. Despite the deep animosity she felt towards him, it doesn't stop her from being kind. Said kindness would be her undoing one day. Alastor hasn't touched any of the foods her friend's had brought or the some she made, she made some pretty good artichoke dip and he had not one chip with it. In truth he just wasn't a fan of sweets. 'Do demons even get hungry? Do they even have food food? Must be hard to get a good bacon, egg 'n cheese down there..' She thought, she figures they do but with how Alastor was she was afraid to ask him what his normal palate was, not that she would. She clears her throat and with the beignet in a little wax paper sheet holds it up to the strangely tall "human".
"Hey, Smiley McGee? Would you like one?" She asked, her voice polite but devoid of the usual melodic tone she used with her friends
Alastor's attention snapped to the pastry in front of him, his gaze lingering on it for a moment before meeting Lumina's eyes. He seemed genuinely surprised by the offer, his usual air of confidence momentarily faltering. Considering everyone else bombarded the platters he took the offer to blend in, apparently she's a good baker and it's her two main friends who told everyone else that in order for that scene to happen. That gesture was genuine as well, he was sure she still hates his guts, he was happy with that, but she was one to just do something for the hell of it apparently.
"Why, thank you, Lumi." He replied flatly, his voice tinged with gratitude though as he reached out to accept the pastry he saw her left eye twitch when he used her shortened nickname, he kept from looking smug and that pissed her off even more. She was about to throw the sugar coated pastry at his face but kept her smile and composure. Alastor hesitated for a moment, his gaze lingering on the pastry before he took a tentative bite.
To his surprise, the taste was unlike anything he had experienced in ..well… years. The sweetness of the pastry combined with the light, flaky texture sent a wave of pleasure coursing through him, and he couldn't help but let out a satisfied hum. It was like the ones made by…
"Well, well, well," Alastor murmured, a hint of genuine appreciation in his voice. "These are quite delicious, my dear. You certainly have a talent for baking." Lumina couldn't help but smirk at the surprise on his face, pleased to see that even a demon like Alastor could appreciate her culinary skills.
In the background Lonnie could be seen looking at the both of them, Lawrence had come up to her munching on a beignet and followed her gaze. Two people who hate each other, well one feels nothing, he just wants her soul. "Romance."
"Lonnie, no." Lawrence chided.
She pouts, and because of the volume of the party she is using sign language. "Oh come oooon, she needs a relationship!"
Lawrence only chuckles. "She doesn't need one, nor does she want one."
Lonnie pokes her tongue out at him and takes a small notebook out from her satchel, writing down whatever she had in her head at the moment.
"No fanfiction either!"
As Lumina basked in the warmth of her friends' company, enjoying the lively atmosphere of her housewarming party, she was taken completely by surprise when a new figure appeared seemingly out of nowhere. Micha, her producer, embraced her tightly, catching Lumina off guard with her sudden presence.
"Lumina, darling!" Micha exclaimed, pulling back to hold Lumina at arm's length. "I'm so proud of you for taking my advice and finally breaking free from your mother's control. It's about time you started living life on your own terms!"
Lumina blinked in confusion, momentarily startled by Micha's sudden appearance. She could have sworn she wasn't there, she did invite her..but she never shows up for anything other than work, and yet here was her producer, acting as if she had been there all along.
"Micha, I... I didn't realize you were here," Lumina stammered, feeling a wave of embarrassment wash over her. "I must have forgotten..."
Micha waved off her concerns with a dismissive gesture, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Oh, don't worry about that, darling! The important thing is that I'm here now, and I have some wonderful news for you."
With a mischievous grin, Micha took Lumina's hands in hers, her excitement palpable as she raised her glass in a toast to the petite brunette.
"To Lumina, the shining star of the night!" Micha declared, her voice ringing out over the chatter of the crowd. "For having the courage to follow her dreams and carve out her own path in this world."
The guests cheered and raised their glasses in agreement, their enthusiasm contagious as they celebrated Lumina's newfound independence.
But Alastor, ever observant, couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. He had been keeping a close eye on Micha ever since her sudden appearance, his suspicions growing with each passing moment. She wasn't there at all the whole party, she strolled out from the hallway, and yet no one else seemed to find her presence unusual.
As Micha continued to gush over Lumina, her excitement mounting with each passing second, Alastor's suspicions only deepened. There was something about her demeanor that set his teeth on edge, a sense of underlying menace that sent a shiver down his spine.
Micha dropped a bombshell that left the room stunned into silence.
"Lumina, darling," Micha exclaimed, her voice ringing out with triumph. "I've secured you a gig for your first solo performance!"
Lumina's eyes widened in shock, her heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. "First solo? Micha, I don't want to go back out there again…" She had never expected to return to the stage after everything she had been through, and yet here was Micha, offering her a chance to reclaim her passion for music. "I want to do something else.."
But even as she hesitated, torn between her desire to pursue her dreams and her fear of facing the demons of her past, Micha was relentless in her persuasion.
"You love to sing, don't you, Lumina?" Micha pressed, her tone bordering on insistence. "You love to dance, to perform for a crowd. Don't let your past hold you back from the future you deserve."
Lumina bit her lip, her mind racing with conflicting emotions. She knew Micha was right—deep down, she still harbored a passion for music that she had been forced to suppress for far too long. But the thought of stepping back into the spotlight, of facing the scrutiny of an audience once again, filled her with a sense of unease.
But Micha wouldn't take no for an answer, her determination unwavering as she urged Lumina to seize this opportunity with both hands.
"Trust me, Lumina," Micha insisted, her voice soft but firm. "This is your chance to shine, to show the world what you're truly capable of. Don't let it slip away."
"Alright, Micha," Lumina said, her voice steady despite the uncertainty swirling within her. "I'll do it. Let's make this performance unforgettable."
After a bit Lumina found herself drawn into a conversation with Micha and a few other friends, their laughter and chatter filling the air.
"So, Lumina," Micha began, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. "You must be curious about the details of your upcoming gig, hmm?"
Lumina nodded eagerly, her curiosity piqued by the prospect of her first solo performance. "Definitely! I'm dying to know more about it. What's the venue like? And who else will be performing with me?"
Micha's grin widened, her enthusiasm contagious as she launched into an animated description of the burlesque show where Lumina would be taking center stage as the lead singer. She painted a vivid picture of the glamorous venue, the sultry ambiance, and the electrifying energy of the crowd.
"As for your fellow performers," Micha continued, her voice tinged with excitement, "you'll be sharing the stage with some of the most talented and captivating artists in the business. It's going to be a night to remember, Lumina."
Before Lumina could respond, a new figure approached the group, his presence casting a shadow over the jovial atmosphere. Lumina tensed slightly as Alastor sauntered over, his sharp gaze fixed on Micha with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine.
Micha's reaction was immediate, her arm slinging protectively around Lumina's shoulders as she shot a wary glare up at Alastor. "Aye, yo! Who the fudge is this, mook?" She demanded, her tone laced with thinly veiled hostility.
Lumina hesitated for a moment, caught off guard by Micha's sudden aggression. She knew Alastor had a knack for stirring up trouble, but she hadn't expected such a strong reaction from her producer.
Reluctantly, Lumina turned to Alastor, gesturing awkwardly between him and Micha. "Uh, Alastor, this is my producer, Micha," she explained, her voice tinged with unease. "Micha, meet Alastor...he's a new friend."
As the tension between them simmered, Lumina felt a surge of anxiety knotting in her stomach. She knew that Micha's protective stance was only exacerbating the situation, and she was desperate to diffuse the growing animosity between the two.
Pushing Micha away from Alastor, Lumina took a step forward, her voice firm as she addressed her producer. "Look, Micha, Alastor is... a unique guy," She said, choosing her words carefully. "But he's important to me, and I want him to be a part of my life. So let's... ease up on the possessive jealousy, okay?" Her tone was demanding and assertive, but was actually just scared. Alastor knew that.
Micha's expression softened slightly at Lumina's unexpected assertiveness, her surprise evident in her wide-eyed gaze. Lumina's uncharacteristic tone caught her off guard, stirring a mixture of emotions within her—anger, frustration, but also a begrudging respect for Lumina's newfound strength.
Alastor observed the exchange with a smirk playing at the corners of his lips, amused by the dynamic between Lumina and Micha. He knew that tensions were running high, but he relished in the chaos he had sown, reveling in the discord he had stirred among them.
"Oh what a night~"
-End of The Plus One section-
Lumina hasn't been working for a good 90 days. She's looking to take her love of Ink Blot art and other forms to get into a cartoonist position, her come back performance will be soon.
Micha is originally from England, moved to the states to get a better life. It took a long time for her to get to be a Producer for talented people, she's overly attached to Lumina and it's why she didn't drop her as a client. She thinks Alastor is after her client. Micha is Micha
Lonnie and Lawrence are in a polycule.