"Stolas Goetia. You're certain?" Valentino questioned as he played with the cigarette between his fingers.
Once more, the three Vs were gathered in Valentino's penthouse suite. Velvette was the one who called for this meeting. However, after hearing what she had to share, neither Valentino nor Vox blamed her for the suddenness.
"Positive. Tall. Blue feathers. Sounded like a twat. It all lines up. If you want, show me a picture. I'll point him out in a heartbeat." Velvette confirmed with a nod while offering a means to validate her story further.
"Nah. That won't be necessary." Valentino assured her, slowly turning toward Vox. "Tell her what you saw on the news, Vox." He said.
"As you know, Velvette, I'm plugged in ALL the time. Even before I returned to my factory, I was tuned in to the midday report from channel six six six. Two surprising things happened during this particular broadcast. The reporters mentioned the very gala Stolas said to you. However, the Archangel of Justice abruptly interrupted them before they could elaborate. He did so via a portal in the middle of the set; then he took one of the newscasters, Katie Killjoy, and left as swiftly as he had arrived." Vox informed her, causing her eyes to shoot wide open.
"WHAT?! SERIOUSLY?!" Velvette asked in total shock.
"I'm honestly amazed you were unaware. Social media has been exploding since it happened. Along with every other outlet of information." Vox confessed.
"I was in the middle of a brew!" Velvette exclaimed before hurriedly pulling out her phone and logging onto her account.
"It's fine. No big deal." Valentino said, not angry with her for not knowing. "Besides, we need to be focused on what this means. Our suspicions that some shit is going down have been proven right. Furthermore, it seems Miss Killjoy is also in on it. Why else would the Archangel come for her at all?" He asked.
"Censorship? Is it possible that Katie managed to dig something up about the gala and was going to share it with all of Hell?" Vox proposed.
"Not a bad idea. That woman certainly has her ways of getting info. With that said, I don't think this is that. No offense to her talents, but there's NO way a Sinner of ALL people would manage to get intel on what God's children are up to. Ignoring the wrath of the Divine, Lucifer's inner circle is TIGHT. I don't think he's gotten any new people since Hell was founded. Those Demons are ancient. Classics, you could say. They know better than to fuck with the Devil." Valentino told him.
"Maybe...something came up?" Velvette suggested, her eyes glued to her phone. "If what Vox says is true, which I don't doubt it is, Gabriel showed up without warning. I don't know too much about the guy other than his position. But still, I think it's safe to assume that a guy who judges people's souls would only make sudden appearances when some biblical-level shit is happening." She reasoned.
"Right. But what? We can use all our resources to figure it out, but I doubt we'll get anywhere. We have to use the one we've been given, thanks to Velvette. Hopefully, Stolas won't realize we're trying to play him. We'll need to be careful and-"
Valentino was interrupted by the sound of music. The source was Velvette's phone. Yet, he didn't get angry because he and Vox recognized it. The melody was the Doll Demon's ringtone.
"It's...unknown..." Velvette slowly said, finally looking at them again. "Could...it be?..." She wondered aloud.
"Go on. We'll be quiet." Valentino urged her.
"...Hello!" Velvette answered the call with a smile and pep. Her small silence was her getting into her persona.
"Ah! Good! I'm SO glad you answered." That was the voice of Stolas. Upon hearing it, Velvette gave Valentino and Vox a thumbs up.
"Mhm! Unfortunately, you caught me in the middle of a potion. I'll need to put you on the speaker; I can't spare any hands for too long." Velvette told him.
"Of course. Go right ahead." Stolas encouraged.
Quickly, Velvette set the phone on the small table before her and pressed its speaker button.
"Alrighty! What did you need?" Velvette asked. "I'm surprised you're calling me so soon!" She added.
"Well, as it turns out, the estate's mostly empty." Stolas began. "When I returned, my Wife, Daughter, and a few others staying with us weren't here. I don't know where they've gone, but it should be long enough for you to come over." He said.
"Come over? I thought you were going to send me a list?" Velvette inquired.
"I was. But that was when I thought the manor would still be filled to the brim with noise and commotion. The staff won't get in our way; they're busy attending to their duties or takings breaks. If you're here in person, it'd be FAR easier for me to illustrate what I'm looking for. I don't think I could properly describe the details through ink alone." Stolas explained. "So, could you come over? Or are you too indisposed?" He asked.
For a second, Velvette looked at Valentino and Vox. Unsurprisingly, they nodded. This was it.
"Sure thing! This potion's nothing complicated; I can wrap it up real quick!" Velvette answered.
"Splendid! I'll see you soon." Stolas replied before ending the call.
"Holy shit!" Velvette excitedly exclaimed as she hung up on her end.
"Agreed. This is perfect." Vox said with a smile, sharing her excitement. "Although, could this potentially be a ploy? I know how absurd that sounds, but I saw Lord Lucifer a few hours ago, and suddenly his Brother showed up at a news station. Could this be an elaborate test or investigation?" He proposed.
"Even for the Devil, that'd be a stretch," Valentino responded. "Still, your caution's warranted. We can't fuck up here." He stated.
"Right. So, what's the plan?" Velvette asked.
"Simple. You'll see Stolas, give him your usual routine, and try to pry as much as you can out of him. Don't be too forceful; just put on your charm and let him play into your hands. Once you're finished, come back here, and we'll plan our next move." Valentino answered.
"Got it," Velvette replied, immediately standing afterward.
Valentino and Vox watched Velvette's exit. When she was gone, they'd engage in discussion about potential strategies. As the pimp said himself, they could afford no mistakes. This had to be perfect.
Meanwhile, On Mars...
"Thanks again for another lovely meeting," Lucifer said to Samuel as they walked to the Slipgate.
You'd think Samuel and Lucifer would run out of topics to discuss by this point. Nope. Even if it was about the most trivial thing, this odd couple of the Devil and a Doctor could pass hours as if they were minutes. Sadly, all good things must come to an end. Thus, Lucifer needed to go back home for now.
...Well...Lucifer didn't NEED to, but it was the sensible thing to do.
"As always, I should be thanking you," Samuel confessed. "I didn't think our interactions would go so well. I never assumed you'd be an ass, just to be clear. Only that we'd find conflict rather than equal ground." He explained.
"I understand completely. I didn't think things would turn out so well, either." Lucifer admitted. "But the more we converse, the more I'm intrigued. Plus, I do enjoy your company." He said.
"As do I," Samuel assured, stopping as they reached their destination. "I hope your Wife doesn't become jealous." He joked, making the Devil laugh.
"You kidding? Lilith's probably planning a party for you! You've managed to give her some peace without me around!" Lucifer jested in return.
"Isn't your Wife a performer? I recall you saying that." Samuel asked as he prepared the Slipgate.
"Yes. But there is a BIG difference between a crowd of adoring fans and your pain in the ass Husband." Lucifer answered, weirdly taking pride in that.
"Some might find it strange that you're self-aware," Samuel told him.
"Eh, I just see it as a side-effect of a marriage as long as ours. I've fucked up enough times to where she'd be justified in leaving me. Yet, my Lilith remains loyal, as do I." Lucifer replied with a sincere smile. The pride he showed in his lasting marriage made FAR more sense.
"I'm happy for you. Most spend their entire lives never finding genuine love. Among them, I am." Samuel said as the portal formed in the gateway.
"What? No way!" Lucifer exclaimed in disbelief. "Sure, you're a robot NOW. But are you telling me that nobody was interested in you? Not a SINGLE head ever got turned?" He questioned.
"Hm, deja vu.'" Samuel muttered, thinking back to a conversation he had with Angel Dust. "Unfortunately, yes. I wasn't one for romantic relationships. I focused on my work and saving my people. There was no time for intimacy of any sort." He explained.
"Alright. Then THAT'S what I'm going to do!" Lucifer decided with gusto. "Once we settle things with my Dad and Doom, I'm setting you up with someone. No ifs or buts, it's happening." He insisted.
"That's very kind. But I'd like to stress the pointlessness of such an endeavor. You needn't be worried. I don't find my lack of a romantic companion to be-"
Samuel suddenly stopped talking. Having learned quite a bit about the mechanical man, Lucifer knew he was connected to the Mars complex. So, if Samuel abruptly paused like this, something of significance must've caught his attention.
"Is everything alright?" Lucifer asked. He hoped he wasn't being too nosey.
"...It would seem...that we have unwanted visitors..." Samuel answered. A palpable disdain in his voice.
"Who is it?" Lucifer continued. He knew it wasn't the Demons. Samuel would be FAR more serious and direct if that were the situation.
"Long story. In short, I've made an enemy of the U.N. You've likely got them on your Earth. I refused to surrender myself to them and obey their commands. Their punishment for such rebellion has finally arrived." Samuel informed him.
"And? What is it?" Lucifer pressed.
"A ship full of space marines. How hilariously fitting." Samuel revealed. "It's taken them this long to get here for multiple reasons. The UAC's stations on Mars' moons are purely scientific. Yes, they have security personnel fitted with weapons. But it's not enough to mount a meaningful invasion. Furthermore, I deactivated the warp beacons on Mars. Essentially, they're targets for our interstellar vessels to lock on to. Without them, the ships cannot accurately measure the distance between their current location and their desired destination. Attempting any accelerated method of travel beyond regular thrust would be suicidal." He explained. "Still, I didn't think they'd get here so quickly." He confessed.
"What do you plan to do? Shoot them out of the sky?" Lucifer asked.
"As convenient as that would be, no," Samuel answered. "I'll have to go and see them. My body possesses multiple defense mechanisms. Their weapons won't be capable of harming me. Should violence break out, I can easily subdue them without much harm." He said.
However, as Samuel tried to move, Lucifer prevented him with his cane.
"...Or..." Lucifer started, a sinister grin slowly forming. "I could see them, instead. I won't hurt them, of course. But a bit of traumatizing terror WOULD help to keep away any further nuisances." He offered,
"Are you sure?" Samuel inquired. He wasn't opposed to the idea in the slightest. He fully trusted Lucifer. "This isn't your problem. I'd hate to impose." He said.
"Samuel, this isn't a task to be completed. It's an activity to be enjoyed." Lucifer responded before turning around. "Have one of your delightful drones guide me. Those soldiers won't be able to speak coherently by the time I'm through." He requested alongside a promise.
"Ensure they're still competent enough to turn on their vessel's autopilot! Your efforts will be wasted if you make them comatose or severely incapacitated!" Samuel advised.
In reply, Lucifer gave the doctor a thumbs up. He knew where the tram station was, so getting to where the soldiers would land was no issue. And, as he requested, a drone would be waiting for him when he stepped off. A delightfully devilish display was to come, and Lucifer couldn't be more pleased.
Meanwhile, In Hell, At The Goetia Estate...
Two sets of feet walked through the manor's halls. One belonged to its owner, the other a guest. However, as the duo ventured further inward, the guest grew confused. It didn't seem like this was headed for an office or a space large enough for a gala. If anything, the main foyer seemed to be a proper location for the latter.
"Maybe they have multiple big-ass spaces?" The guest, Velvette, pondered as she walked. "Stolas hasn't said much. But the guy doesn't look like a Demon to be feared. He seems more like the pampered Prince-type." She thought.
Continuing to follow the Goetia in silence, the Doll Demon would soon be guided to a room with twin doors. As assumed, Stolas opened them for her and led her inside.
"A...library?..." Velvette questioned, no longer staying within her mind.
"Yes, do forgive the odd location." Stolas apologized as he shut the doors behind them. "I do all of my thinking and work in here. The MANY plans I have for the gala are in this room. My Wife, Stella, is tending to the guest list." He explained.
"Ah...gotcha..." Velvette replied. "Eesh. Eccentric Nobles..." She thought.
With the room secure, Stolas moved toward the center of the room. Specifically, he approached a podium that had a Grimoire. Then he...picked it up?
"Uh. Hey. What're you doing?" Velvette inquired, doing her best to maintain her façade. She knew what a Grimoire was. Most people did. They weren't fucking notebooks, that's for sure.
"Velvette, dear. You can drop the act." Stolas told her, causing her body to stiffen. "I'm aware that you're a sociopath who puts on a convincing performance. I also know that your adorable trio is trying to play the part of puppet master." He continued, slowly turning around to face her. "However, this works out perfectly for me. You see, I needed proper puppets. There's NEVER a better selection than those who think they're pulling the strings. Even more so, you're a Doll Demon. I don't think I could've chosen better." He concluded.
Velvette didn't say anything. She couldn't. For the first time she could recall, the Doll Demon felt afraid. Stolas stood there with a smile. The Grimoire was held comfortably in his hands. He seemed so friendly and casual as if this was normal. Admittedly, it was. But there was something different about the atmosphere. This wasn't the usual air of Demons fucking each other over in Hell. What was happening?
Sadly, Velvette never got the chance to ask. Stolas opened the Grimoire. Its pages glowed. From them, a power emerged. It looked like lightning but wasn't the same. It coursed through Velvette's body and soul. It hurt. An indescribable pain.
Velvette could do nothing. No screams or convulsions. The energy that assaulted her and the pain it inflicted overwhelmed her. Yet, Velvette wouldn't die. Her soul needed to remain in its vessel. She could still be useful as herself when the time came. But should Stolas need something else, this same power could help change her. It now resided in Velvette. She now belonged to it. How fitting that the Doll Demon would become property.