Angel sighed as he schlepped into the front door, groaning as he stretched his top arms over his head and his second pair behind his back. The spider demon smiled when he spotted Husk and the girls at the bar, quietly sneaking off to get cleaned up and change into something more comfortable. "Hey, Fat Nuggets," Angel gushed, "You wanna help momma get ready for a little shindig? Yeah? I thought so."

Angel hopped in a quick shower, got himself dried and fluffed, even adding a spritz of Husk's favorite perfume before setting up his makeup and going to his wardrobe. "What do you think, Nuggs? You think I should go super-fancy tonight, or maybe something a bit more… you know, comfy and casual?" Fat Nuggets tilted his head, letting out a snort as he scuttled over to the dresser and rooted around until he found Angel's bedazzled crop top. "Oh, that's perfect," Angel said as he leaned over and took the top out of the pig's mouth, "Now I just gotta find those shorts."

Not long after the crew's arrival, they all headed up to Husk's room, clearing a space in the middle of the living area for a fold-out table and a few chairs. While Husk set up to play poker, Sugar Cube got to work uncorking the Champaign. "To the new baby!" Shwick cheered; the crew clapped as the Champaign bottle popped open and Sugar started pouring a little into four small tumbler glasses. Shwick grabbed a couple, handing one to Gate and clicking their glasses together before taking a hearty sip.

Husk thanked Sugar as she handed him a glass before filling up the last glass and slid it over to Kanban. "Arigatō." "Don't mention it. You almost got everything set up, Zeke?" Sugar asked. "Almost," Husk chuckled, "Just need everyone to cash in so I can hand out the chips and we can get started. You all know the rules, it's twenty dollars to join in."

"So, what's with the extra chair?" Shwick asked, "There's only five of us, so," "I just put it up in case Angel wanted to join us. Though, given how rough his job can be, he's probably already in bed by now."

"Hey, Husky," a voice called, "You start the party without me?" Husk and the others turned to see Angel standing in the doorway. Husk's eyes widened in surprise at seeing Angel wearing the same outfit he wore on their first date; he'd forgotten how cute he looked in that outfit, especially without the sweater. "Champaign, eh? Fancy." Angel said with a teasing wink as he walked over and sat down in the empty chair next to Husk, resting his chin in his hands and propping himself up with the elbows of his top set of arms.

"Uh… uh… uh… um," Husk babbled. "Whoops, I think you broke him." Gate laughed, "I ain't seen him this flustered since he got back from his trip to Maul-ta." Shwick teased. "Huh?" Angel hummed. "Damn it, Shwick! Shut your mouth! Jesus, and to think you're two years older than me."

"And two years dumber." Kanban snickered. Shwick just rolled his eyes, chuckling as he pointed to Angel and said, "So… you must be the boss' newest squeeze. Gotta say, I like this one way better than your last fling." Angel turned to Husk and smiled, giving him a wink as Sugar Cube filled a glass and slid it across the table. "Oh, relax, Husk," Angel chuckled, "Your buddies like me. That's supposed to be a good thing."

Husk smiled and nodded, topping off his own glass before lifting it up and doing a quick toast with Angel. "Salud." Shwick said as he lifted his glass and joined Husk and Angel in taking a quick sip of Champaign. "So, when's the baby shower?" "Uh… not sure," Husk droned, "Hazel's not that far along yet. Hell, she wasn't even showing yet from what I could see. I told them to have Lila call me in the next month or so to discuss the when, where, and how. I mean, I want to attend, but if they can't find a way to get all of 'em up here from Wrath safely… well," Husk's ears fell back as a sad look came onto his face, "I just don't want to risk losing anyone else, that's all."

Shwick smiled and nodded, giving Husk a gentle pat on the shoulder before taking a seat at the table with Gate. Sugar put the Champaign down before pulling out a couple of fives and a ten and handed them to Husk. "Alright, let's get started. The first buy-in is twenty bucks each, let's have 'em. That's right, hand 'em over."

"Twenty bucks? That's it?" Angel asked. Husk and the others just stared at him as he reached into his chest fluff and pulled out two hundred dollar bills and slapped them down on the stack of cash. "Come on, if we're gonna gamble, let's be serious about it." Angel laughed, "Husk, deal me in. Husk?" Husk's eyes widened as he stared at the bills; he reached out to grab them, only to have Sugar Cube snatch the bills away and hand them back to Angel. Sugar said in a stern voice, "Twenty dollars. Only twenty dollars."

"It's penny ante poker," Gate droned, "Keep the pot as small as possible." Angel took his money back from Sugar and looked down at Husk; the cat demon was looking down at his glass, swirling the Champaign around and letting out an uncomfortable whimper and a sigh. Angel smiled and nodded, reaching into his fluff and pulling out a handful of bills, rifling around until he found two twenties and put them down, saying, "Here, Husk. I'll cover your first buy-in."

Husk smiled up at Angel and nodded, counting the bills before handing everyone their chips. Husk hummed a soft Jazzy tune as he grabbed the cards and started to shuffle. "Alright, you all know the name of the game. Duces wild and the Joker is out. Shwick, you cut." Husk said pushing the deck over. Shwick cut the cards three ways before handing the deck back to Husk; Husk showed the bottom card, which was the three of Spades before dealing out five cards to each person. "Now then," Husk said as a big, excited smile stretched across his face, "Let's play."

"So, boss," Shwick pipped, "How do you plan on getting Hazel up here to Pride for the baby shower?" "Honestly, Sanchez, that's the last thing on my mind at the moment." Husk sighed, "And frankly, I don't want to get into it right now, so can we just… play cards?" Husk let out a soft trill as he felt a hand on his arm; he looked up to see Angel looking at him with concern. "Hey, everything okay, Husk?" Angel asked, "You look a bit… out of it. Come on, this is your party! Live a little."

Husk smiled and nodded, letting out a soft chuckle and said, "You're right, Angel. I guess I'm just… a little on edge. I mean… what if something goes wrong? Or, what if I'm not able to be there for her? I really want to do good here, Angel. But… well if she ends up being stuck in Wrath, there'll be nothing I can do. I'll be stuck."

"Maybe Alastor can pull some strings for you," Angel suggested, "Make sure Hazel and her family can get up here before the baby's born so you won't have to worry about missing out." "No, no, no, I," Husk groaned, putting his cards down and rubbing his face tiredly as he shook his head, "I can't ask that man for anything. Not unless I want to risk him asking me for another outrageous favor that he'll hold over my head until he finally decides to cash it in. Fuck, why do you think I'm here instead of the Jackpot? Besides, Hazel doesn't want me to tell Alastor just yet. She's afraid he'll try to keep me away from her and my grandkid. Frankly, I don't blame her."

"And why would I do that?" a voice crackled. Husk let out a yelp as he turned to see Alastor standing behind his chair, "My goodness, Husker, calm down." Alastor laughed, "You act as if this was the first time you've seen me." Husk shivered as he caught his breath and asked, "What are you doing here? I though… I thought you were going off to attend Rosie's little… uh, cookout thing."

"Unfortunately, plans fell through on that." Alastor said nonchalantly, walking over and leaning over to look Husk in the eyes, "Anyhoo… you all seem to be having quite a fun time. What's the occasion tonight, Husker? Did Hazel have good news to share?" Husk swallowed nervously and said, "W-what? What are you talking about?" "Oh, don't be coy, Husker." Alastor laughed, "After all these years, you should know better than to lie to me." Husk's eyes grew wide in fear as the area around Alastor started to glitch and the sound of radio static filled the air.

"Al, back off," Angel said in a warning tone, "Husk didn't lie to you about anything. He just didn't tell you because it's none of your damn business." "Angel, please, let me handle this." Husk pleaded, "Fact is, Alastor, it's not my secret to tell. I'll fill you in on everything soon enough, boss. I promise."

"You'd better." Alastor growled. "Oh would you knock it off," Sugar Cube scoffed, "News flash, we're not your overlord buddies; we're his friends and employees. Acting like this doesn't impress us, it just makes us detest you even more, you insufferable, petulant little man-child!" "Yeah, back off, man." Gate droned, "Just because you own our boss' soul doesn't mean you own his family."

"Family!? Ha!" Alastor cackled, "Last I heard, his family was dead." Husk's ears fell and his eyes grew wide and dark as Alastor continued, "Adopting Hazel was little more than an attempt to recapture that dream. I suppose it makes sense, given sinners cannot have families of their own. But that doesn't make it just, you using that poor orphan to replace the child you killed."

Husk just stared at Alastor in disbelief, tears willing up in his eyes. Husk let out a roar as he grabbed the Champaign bottle and threw it at Alastor's head; there was a loud crash as the bottle flew through the air and smashed against the wall next to the door. Alastor let out a yelp as Husk grabbed his glass and threw it at him, smashing it on the ground by the overlord's feet.

"Get out! Get the fuck out of my sight!" Gate grabbed Husk's arms as the chimera attempted to lunge towards his master, wrapping one arm around his waist and pinning him gently onto the table to keep Husk in place. "Just go, damn it! Go away! Get… get out of here!"

Shwick went to stand up, but Angel got up first and walked over, getting in Alastor's face and pointing towards the door. "Get out Al," Angel snapped, "Now. Before I chuck you out the fucking window." "Hahaha! You wouldn't dare." Alastor scoffed. The demon shrunk away a little as Angel's eyes narrowed and started glowing an angry, more reddish hue. Angel let out a soft hiss and said, "Try me, motherfucker."

Angel felt his heart break a little as Husk let out an anguished sob; he turned and saw Husk laying across the table, weeping hard into his hands. Gate just held Husk gently in his hulking hands, rubbing his back to try to sooth him as Sugar was glaring at Alastor. The Succubus' eyes glowed bright gold with a look of pure venom. "If I don't, they sure as hell will." Angel growled, "Now get… out… now." Alastor grumbled softly, flashing Husk a curious look and shaking his head before turning around on his heel and trotting out of the room. Angel followed Alastor until he left and slammed the door shut.