It wasn't often that the Vees went out to the town together.

Oh, they weren't completely homebodies, though each did enjoy a nice night in where they were left all to themselves. There was something rather pleasant about being able to just relax at home and not have to put on a show for the rubes. But… sometimes it was fun TO put on the show and thus each of them enjoyed just as much time outside of their tower as they did within. Vox would press hands with everyone he met, assuring them that yes, they too could be a star (so long as they signed on the dotted line there, also don't forget the section about forfeiting 98% of all revenue and how all your intellectual property past, present, and future would belong to him), sometimes giving impromptu press conferences. And if he was feeling the need to unwind he'd take a stroll through one of the private parks in Hell where attempts were actually made to keep crime and sex and violence out of it. Just the plant life that called Damnation home.

Velvette would of course shop. Hitting up stores, browsing for her new favorite things. Yes, that was also work but she found it relaxing as well. And a bit amusing because people could never tell when she was on the clock looking for the next big thing and when she just wanted to look through the shelves and the racks. Get their hopes sky high or fill the poor wee bastards with terror… and then not even pull out her phone before she left.

Despite all the… issues… that he had been going through Valentino still managed to relax. He wasn't as at ease as he had once been but he was still able to enjoy his club. A sweet young supple thing slipped under each of his arms, a table loaded with the finest drink, and the knowledge that everyone pressing their flesh against one another was doing so because of him.

But… it was rare for all three to go out together.

"So yeah, sometimes its nice ta find some hole in the wall and make it a star," Velvette said as the three of them were led to their table. "But there are days where even I want to know that I'm gettin' the best."

"Don't have to convince any of us," Vox said with a grin, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. "I personally can't wait to get some of Phillipe's best cooking! I have been having a craving for his petit steak for the last two weeks."

"Which is why we haven't allowed you to come here," Valentino teased. "You'd lose your wonderful figure if you were allowed to gorge."

"I swear if ya two begin to fuck right here in the restaurant I'm leaving," Velvette warned as the waiter held out her chair for her. "Can ya please try and keep the kissy faces and hearts eyes turned down for one dinner at least?"

"Now now, just because you haven't found a special someone to be so open with…" Valentino teased.

"Yeah, when are you going to make us kick ass grandpas already?" Vox asked. "Find some nice guy who knows his place or some sweet little bitch who knows just what to lick and suck? Adoption is always an option, after all. Though try and make sure they have a name that fits the pattern, would ya? We have a nice branding thing going on…"

"Hell's sake, ya really bringing this up now?" Velvette complained.

"We just want you to be happy," Valentino stated.

"I'm happy doin' what I want, free and unchained."

"Okay, we just want US to be happy then," Vox teased. Velvette glowered at that but he merely picked up his menu and began to look it over.

"You already said you were getting the petit steak," Velvette said, looking over her own menu.

"Oh, as the main course!" Vox declared. "But I think we're gonna indulge today… all of us have been working really hard, after all, and we deserve to treat ourselves. Besides, wouldn't look good if we disappeared out of the restaurant too early. Image, image, blah blah blah."

"Though we don't want to be too long," Valentino stated. "The concert is going to be starting at 10pm."

"Ugh, good thing I make my own hours," Vox complained. "I am going to need to sleep in or I would be cranky. I'm not a young demon anymore."

"Yeah, we all know you are as old as fucking dirt," Velvette declared with a smirk.

"Hey, I'm not some fossil!" Vox declared.

"Beginning to sound like it."

"Just wait till you've been around for as long as us and need to begin worry about pimples not on your face but your ass."

Velvette gasped in horror at that. "I do NOT get pimples!"

"Yeah, sure, that's why you only spend 90 minutes in the bathroom every morning," Vox said with a smirk. "Maybe you just like taking really long shits."

"Maybe I just like usin' dildos on myself, ya ever think of that? Some of us don't have a hair trigger."

"I can last for WEEKS, sweetie," Vox said, face going static for a moment.

Valentino groaned; he really hoped that Vox didn't decide to prove his point. The last time had been a nightmare because it had left him nearly a month behind in his filming schedule. At minimum he made a mental note to get so energy drinks and something with electrolytes-

"Well… of all the groups to run into."

Valentino went utterly still for just a moment. 'No… not here… not here not here not here…'

"Oh hey, its you!" Vox said, looking up and smiling. "Good ol' you! Been so long since we saw each other!"

"We've never met."

"Ah. Right. Then why the fuck are you bothering me." He raised his hand to call for the waiters to toss the intruder on his ass and Valentino moved to stop his lover from doing that, nervous about how the demon that controlled his soul would react to such a slight… but thankfully Velvette stopped Vox completely herself.

"Are ya fuckin' blind now too?" she said. "Hell, this is Edwin Cerberus! I've been tryin' ta get a one on one with him for a while!" She waved at a waiter. "Get this fucker a chair."

"No no, no need," Edwin said with a smile. "I'm just picking up some takeout." He lifted up one of the bags he was holding.

"I… wasn't aware that this place did take out," Vox said slowly, clearly trying to decide if that was the greatest idea ever or the worst.

"It does when the Princess of Hell has a craving for some shrimp," he said with a shrug. "I had some business and I agreed to pick some up for Charlie. She would have come here but she's having a meeting concerning some new stores in her hotel."

"Right, right," Vox said. "Charlie. Charlie Morningstar. Alastor's little… project." He remained smiling but Valentino could tell he WASN'T in a good mood discussing his rival.

"Yeah, that prick," Edwin said and at once Vox perked up at the dry tone that entered Edwin's words.

"Oh? Someone that sees Alastor for what he is? An annoying showboat who thinks he FAR better than he really is and who needs to be brought down by several pegs-" Valentino placed a hand on Vox's leg and squeezed. "Honey, my dick is higher and to the left."

"Let's just say me and him have different visions for a lot of things," Edwin said. "But one can't choose which friends their friends have." And how it annoyed him to no end to know that Edwin Cerberus was friends with Lucifer's brat. She might have been a piss poor demon but she was still the Princess of Hell and those connected with her had some protection. It was part of the reason that Vox hadn't just ordered Alastor's death.

Or, at least, that's what Vox claimed. The other reason was he stated it wouldn't be 'sporting' to do in Alastor like that. Far better to play their little games and try and prove he had the superior mind.

The true reason was that no one was sure how the KILL the fucker. Rumor had it that several Overlords during his first purge had tried to use Angelic Weapons on him. Alastor had swallowed them whole and said they tasted a bit too tinny for his tastes.

"That is life… or death…" Edwin chuckled. "Seriously, I am still trying to figure out how to talk down here. Feel like I am some hick come into the big ol' city."

"You certainly are built like a lumberjack," Velvette said, giving him a once over that had warning bells and alarms screaming in Valentino's head. She was staring at him like he was some new designer pair of shoes.

"So I have been told," Edwin said with a shrug. "You should see me in flannel and jeans and boots."

"Normally I'd scoff but there is something to be said for the rustic look. Might be coming back in, now that I think about it." Velvette smirked. "Yeah… I think it might. You have a good eye for fashion, baby."

"The cloak is a nice touch," Vox said before glowering at Valentino. "I wanted to add a cape to my outfit but this one said no."

"Probably because his coat looks like a cape and he knew you'd pull it off better," Edwin said, causing Vox to laugh. He let out an amused huff before looking at Velvette. "As for that one on one I'm sure we could work something out. Though you can't get upset with me for not being able to meet with you. I'm a busy man at the moment and that is entirely your fault."

"My… oh yeah, my Sinnergrams." She looked him over, up and down, grinning as she did so. "Guess ya kind of owe me, don't ya?"

"Yes and no," Edwin said. "I owe you more than most would think… but far less than you do."

That made Velvette chuckle and Valentino swallow. "Oh, aren't ya a charmer. Too bad ya can join us… would help me even things out between me and the fossils."

"We aren't that old," Vox complained.

"Aw, isn't it cute when their minds begin to go. Tell me about when movies didn't have any sound. Oh wait, no, don't tell me that, I don't care." She smirked and patted Vox on the head before looking over at Edwin. "See what I have to deal with? Save me from these two?"

"Would if I could," Edwin said. "But Charlie is waiting on her food and if I don't get back before too long she'll go storming Hell herself looking for me and I don't think any of us want that. That leads to musical numbers." He gave a shudder though all three of the Vees didn't really understand his problem with that; everyone loved musical numbers. In fact while they disagreed on MANY of the ideas Charlotte Morningstar had all three agreed she put on wonderful show-stopping numbers. "I just came by to say hello to all of you." He looked RIGHT at Valentino. "I would hate to disturb your family dinner."

He made a few more quiet comments to all of them, idle chitchat and trading emails with Velvette so they could keep in touch. Valentino though found himself both listening fully to what Edwin was saying and not hearing a word of it. He knew the man was talking and could remember all the details but there was a horrible sense of detachment that was running through him the entire time the demon stood at their table. It was as if he weren't in actual control of his body and instead was a passenger watching all that happened.

'You haven't been in control since he showed up in that alley,' he dimly thought. 'You are on his leash… and now he is moving to set his sights on your family. Vox… Velvette. They have no idea how fucking dangerous that bastard is! And-'

He felt the golden hands form around his wrists and squeeze.

'And I can't do anything about it,' Valentino thought bitterly. 'The moment I even think about rebels his hold on my soul reminds me that I have no freedom.'

But that didn't stop the moth demon from staring at Edwin with utter hate, even if he forced a lazy smile on his lips.

'I am going to figure out a way to get out from under your thumb. I will break this deal. And when I do I am going to make you SUFFER.'

~MC~MC~MC~

Husk frowned deeply as he and Alastor made their way through the Burrows. "If we wanted to investigate this properly we should have been in disguises."

"I got you a new outfit!" Alastor replied cheerful. "And you look rather smashing in it!"

Gone was Husk's normal outfit, designed to work with his fur to resemble a tux one might wear on a riverboat. Instead he was wearing a specially tailored suit that, even to him, felt about 70 years out of date. A brown suit and vest with a cream dress shirt, a bow tie, and a bowler hat that was perched perfectly on his head. Slits had been made for his wings and tail and even the hat had been done in such a way to ensure that his ears rested comfortable inside.

"Do I even want to know why you just happened to know my measurements?" Husk asked as he reached down to adjust his cuffs. Alastor merely turned his head and smiled broadly at the question. "Yeah, I guess I don't," he muttered to himself."

"I truly don't see why you are complaining," he said. "Its not like that outfit cost you anything. I know you can't be trusted with your money, after all. That is why I keep hold of your checkbook."

That wasn't the reason though. The reason was that Alastor enjoyed it when Husk felt the urge to gamble and was forced to go to him and beg for money. It was part of the reason why Husk was currently on a cold turkey kick when it came to cards; he HATED the damn smile Alastor always wore when he asked for his checkbook. As well as the 'cute' little comments about how he 'best not gamble too much... you know what happens when you get in over your head'.

"We are supposed to be sneaking up on this serial killer and you have us dressed up like a couple of dandies," Husk complained. "You are the one that wants to play detective... I don't care either way."

"And yet you are making suggestions on how we might do things better," Alastor pointed out with a grin that had Husk gritting his teeth in frustration. "As to your point have you not ever heard of the 'Nope Theory'.

"...I can't say I have," Husk found himself saying.

Alastor merely continued to walk along.

"Well?"

"Well what?"

Husk ground his molars together. The bastard was going to make him ask. He thought, for a moment, to deny him the satisfaction, but finally his curiosity got the better of him and he said, "What is the fucking Nope Theory?"

"Ah, it is a truly interesting examination into human behavior. Or, I suppose in our case, demon behavior. You see most demons have a natural sense that something is wrong... or right. Some are greater than others, of course. A gunmen sensing just when to lift his head from cover and take a shot. A racer knowing when to apply the whip and move towards the inside of the track. A... card shark knowing who the perfect patsy is." Husk opened his mouth to tell the Overlord to stuff it but Alastor quickly continued on, railroading any comment he was about to make. "While there are some that have it greater than others we all have that instinct. When we know that something isn't quite right... or when the opportunity arises to seize a moment.

"Now, this self preservation also lets demons know when something is simply too large or too strange for them to deal with. That to dig into the meaning behind an event would only lead to madness. I hear that Lovecraft wrote about it all the time: the little people who simply didn't SEE the otherworldly horror because their brains couldn't comprehend it. Their minds simply blotted the image out to save their gray matter. It is why certain demons back in the good ol' days were able to go to earth and cause so much trouble: only a few with strong minds could see them and understand what they were. The rest of humanity would see an imp or a succubus or a hellhound and their mind would simply shut down. They would believe they saw nothing at all and any that claimed that something was amiss were quite wrong in the head. Which, my dear Husker, many were. Sometimes it isn't bravery that motivates a man but damage to their frontal lobe." He took his magnifying glass and lightly tapped Husk on the forehead.

"So what... us donning these outfits is the same thing?"

"But of course! Notice that none of reacted to our passing! No one is asking why I am dressed like this. Perhaps there are a few that actually see it but they are wise enough to know that asking me about it..." he chuckled even as his eyes flashed red, "...would mean having to ASK me about it." He shrugged and was back to his normal self. "As for the rest their minds subconsciously do that for them. Their brains go, "Why there is Alastor, the Radio Demon! He could tear me apart into tiny little pieces if I annoyed him. And he is wearing a dapper outfit but one he normally doesn't wear. Best to protect my body by forgetting at once I even saw that." And thus they forget all about me."

"That... can't possibly work," Husk stated.

"Oh, it gets harder and harder each day. See, once I was able to merely go out dressed as I normally am and not get an odd look because it was more likely that Aunt Gertie would forget how to cook her grits than the Radio Demon deciding to do his own shopping." He chuckled at that. "Oh... like she would ever forget how to cook grits." He let out a bemused little sigh before continuing on. "But demons became used to that and thus they begin to notice me. Of course they screamed or burned themselves on fire or tried to drown themselves in butter... once all three but that was Arbor Day and you know how wild THAT holiday gets." He waved his hand dismissively. "So now I need to be far more outlandish." He paused and glanced at Husk. "It does amuse me how you don't even remember me in the clown shoes and rainbow wig."

"Yeah, right," Husk said. But Alastor merely turned away, allowing Husk to frown as he began to wonder if that was true.

"But like I said, no one is noticing us so we'll be able to slip right in." he walked up to a door that belong to a run down little building. "Hmmmm... no one guarding it..." He fiddled with the knob. "But it is locked..."

"I can probably jimmy it open," Husk said, reaching into his pocket to get his lock picking kit.

"Probably for the best," Alastor admitted. "While my powers have their uses sometimes I'm demon enough to admit that the softer touch is the better one." With that he motioned towards the door and Husk got on his knees, working on the lock. It was... surprisingly easy to do.

Too easy.

"This is a trap."

"Oh, most certainly!" Alastor said in clear delight. "But for who? Does our prey know we are on to them? Or perhaps is the trap for those he hunts and we have just blundered our way into it? Such mysteries are the spice of life, my dear friend. It keeps things rather interesting."

"You expect me to believe that you LIKE surprises?"

"But of course…" Alastor said with a chuckle. "Though usually I prefer it when I am the one doing the surprising. Still, I suppose we will see just what will happen soon enough! Come along, Husker!"

And with that the two of them plunged into the building.

~10 Minutes Later~

"You know, for a serial killer den I thought there would be more blood and guts," Husk admitted.

"Yes, it is cleaner than I expected. How curious. And then there is the matter of the deco. I'm not quite sure if 1920s Egyptian Tomb Dig would have been my first choice…"

They had, upon entering the building, only gotten a few feet before they found that the first floor of the structure was mostly just for show. It was completely empty, with all the furniture removed and the windows boarded up. One would have thought it abandoned if not for the light coming from the basement door. That had proven far more interesting as descending the wooden steps had caused Husk and Alastor to find themselves no longer in a wooden home like one might find on the Atlantic Coast but rather a stone hallway, carved right out of the rock that made up The Burrow.

It was impressive in how well put together it was. The walls solid slabs of rock, yes, but had been buffed and cleaned so that they were reasonably smooth. Not polished but with a beautiful natural texture to them while not having the rough and worn spots one might have expected. Then there was the floor, which was made up of hand laid bricks of the same color, each one so tightly pressed to its brothers that it was near impossible to be able to tell where one began and the other ended unless a demon threw themselves onto their bellies and inspected it. Something that Alastor had done, of course. Torches served as the light sources, filling the air with a thick smoke; for once Husk was rather pleased that he wasn't as tall as some demons for he could tell that Alastor was not delighting in the smoke that was currently wafting around his head like a storm cloud. He occasionally pulled a hancherchief from his pocket in order to rub his nose and while his smile remained it was more pained and forced than it normally was.

"No signs of violence either," Husk whispered.

"Yes, I noticed that as well. I suppose if our killer is smart they know how to hide themselves away so that they don't get caught… and are smart enough to not leave evidence in their home." Alastor paused. "And they clearly want us to enter, as they haven't made a move to try and stop us. Curious, is it not? So very curious…"

The two of them continued down the hall, a few times coming to branching paths but Alastor made deductions on the way they should go. Honestly Husk thought that his reasoning was just bullshit and he was merely guessing on the way to go and getting them terribly lost but he didn't say a word. Let the demon have his fun and then he could rub it in his face later.

Except… he never did. Because every path Alastor took seemed to be the right one.

"Our killer hasn't been here for a while," Alastor stated. "Hell can move quickly, especially if one is motivated. For as much as those in power like to pretend that things remain the same down here… Hell is change. Everything is moving, everything is shifting. Those that remain on top only remain on top because they are quick to adapt. The moment you don't… that's when you find yourself in trouble."

For once Husk got the sense Alastor wasn't giving him veiled insults.

"Our killer has managed to quietly work to carve out a rather large domain. There are Ars Goetia homes that aren't as large as this place. But its all new… there is still chisel dust in some of the carvings. He either did it all himself in quite a quick amount of time… or he has had help. And I lean towards the latter, Husker. We know that many hellborn have been disappearing… most likely they have been joining up with our killer to create his great work. But why? Oh, that is the question… hmmm?" he suddenly paused. "Ah. I think we are about ready to find out. Have your weapon at the ready, Husker."

Husk took out the angelic revolver that Alastor had given him earlier, feeling the weight in his hand. For the briefest of moments he considered turning the gun on Alastor and blowing his brains out. But his neck throbbed the moment the thought entered his head and he forced it down. While normally the killing of a demon caused the souls they held to be freed from their contracts, unless the deals were transferred to another through a will or other binding agreement, Husk had never heard of a demon who was trapped in a deal killing the one that held their soul. It was thought of, whispered, dreamed of… but never done. He himself had had plenty of demons curse him out and draw weapons on him… but they always stood down. Even without him needing to threaten them.

The fear of what might happen to THEM made them stop.

So Husk checked the chamber and gave Alastor a nod, who smirked before he approached the end of the hall and the door that, now that Husk looked at it more carefully, had a sliver of golden light coming out from under it. The door itself was heavy stone, thick and carved with many different Egyptian images. Not something one saw normally, even in Hell.

Alastor… knocked upon it.

"Hello?" he called out in his most charming voice. "Might we enter? We have so much to discuss with you…"

Husk fought the urge to slam his head against a wall. "Are you seriously knockin' on his door like we are fuckin' selling Avon?"

The door slowly groaned and swung open.

"There is no cost to being polite, Husker," Alastor admonished him. "It only takes a second and it can pay off far better than a fist and a bellow." With that he strolled into the room and, after a moment, Husk followed after him.

The space was huge. Massive. Easily the length of a football field. There were great stone pillars that held the ceiling aloft and torches all over burning away, though thankfully the smoke they released was near the very high ceiling, allowing Husk to breathe a bit easier. Woven fabric tapestries covered the wall, depicting men and women of Egyptian Descent doing various things. Many of them featured a man with… well, even for hell his hair looked ridiculous. Spiky and far too big for his head and a riot of gold, black, and purple. In several of the images he was sitting on a throne or holding out his hand, strange bestial demons before him battling his enemies. In one he summoned a man in purple robes to battle another Egyptian who had as his champion a massive white dragon. But there were a few that showed him standing against some truly gigantic demon, looking like the traditional hell citizen that humans always envisioned when they thought of Lucifer's realm. Cloven hoofed, horns on his head, and-

Husk blinked.

"Uh... am I seein' things or does that demon have a dragon for a dick?"

"No… no, I'm seeing it too," Alastor said, for the first time since Husk had known him the Overlord sounding not quite sure of himself. In fact one might almost argue he sounded rattled. "I… well, I suppose we can't judge… or perhaps…" Finally Alastor gave up, shrugging and continuing on though he did glance back again at the dragon penis before snapping his head forward, putting it out of his mind. Husk WISHED he could do that because he had a bad feeling the dragon dick would haunt his nightmares.

As they got near the front of the hall they began to encounter the crowd that was kneeling on the floor, heads dipped in submission. Each of them were dressed in purple robes that had long hoods that kept their faces hidden. They didn't stir as Husk and Alastor walked along the path that split the crowd in two but Husk didn't think for a moment they didn't know they were there and were ready to attack if commanded. He gripped the angelic gun a bit tighter, body tense so that if the fuckers did decide that they were going to come after him he'd be ready to show them just how poor of a mistake that was.

The crowd was all in attendance to a single figure. A large Sinner Demon, Probably about 7 feet tall to 8, wearing ornate cream robes with blues, oranges, and golds all threaded along its surface. His head resembled a dog's of some kind, with leathery skin that was pulled tight over his gaunt face and a dark beard surrounding his muzzle. He had dark, sharp eyes that watched them as they approached and he slowly rose up as Alastor moved towards the throne he was sitting upon. The seat was made of gold and VERY ornate, carved to resemble two falcons stretching out their wings to touch the tips of them at the top and center of the chair. In his hand he held a large staff made of angelic steel, it's head designed to look like an eagle's head, screeching out just before it dived upon its prey.

"And so lovers who have only dreamed of meeting are finally united!" Alastor declared with a massive grin, throwing out his arms wide. "You have led us on a merry chase, though I suppose neither is true since we merely watched you carefully and it wasn't so much merry as jolly, but the fact remains that we come to an end with all of this. You have been making quite a name for yourself… though I admit that isn't why I originally sought you out." He began to twirl his own cane and Husk knew he wasn't doing that merely for show. No… he wanted the dog man to know that he saw his angelic steel and wasn't afraid of it. "No… there is something else I'm interested in. It concerns the Rare Hunters and their connection with-"

"The Rare Hunters?" the man said, his voice a low, steady growl. It reminded Husk of the sound of the ocean just before a storm, when the waves were growing steadily more fierce and dangerous; growing in intensity. The sense that something deadly was moved towards you and that there was nothing you could do to stop it. "The Rare Hunters are a blasphemy. They deserve to be destroyed. Even here in Hell… that is too good of a fate for them." He took a step forward. "Are you one of my son's pathetic little cretins, following him and his blasphemous ways? If so… then you have come to the right place. For I will correct you in your error… and ensure that you no longer disgrace the wise and great culture that is the Tomb Keepers! So speak I, Malik Ishtar!"

And with that all of the purple robed figures rose up and pulled out various weapons. Clubs and such. A few swords. An axe or two. All of them turned and focused on Alastor and Husk.

The two, perhaps for the first time since they had been tied together thanks to the deal, looked at each other… and smiled.

"I dare say I think I will limit myself on what I can do," Alastor said as he rolled his neck back and forth, bones cracking and popping. "Wouldn't do if I ended things too quickly, now would it?"

"Was gonna say the same thing," Husk said, causing Alastor to laugh.

"Very well then, Husker… let us show these fools just who they are messing with."

And with that the two launched into their foes.