There was a tapping at the door as Brief groaned, opening his eyes as he sat up. He felt comfiness all around him as he looked around. He was in his bed, under some covers and still in his green jumpsuit as the boy shuffled out.
He got up, hearing the tapping at the door as he got to it, and it opened to reveal Charlie.
"Ah, good morning Brief!" Charlie said. "Sleep well?"
"Yeah… haven't had a sleep like that in over a year." Brief groaned as he stretched his arms. It was true. Being on the hunt for Panty's pieces during his adventure in Oten City meant many hotel stays or sleeping inside the Demon Sister's hummer Limo. And the very cheap Hotels at that too.
And he had a bed to himself, and not one where he had to constantly be on the lookout for Garterbelt.
"You must have a lot to tell." Charlie surmised. "Would you mind telling me more about yourself? See what we can do to help you on your road to redemption."
Brief rubbed his eyes a bit more and yawned.
"Like, my life story and stuff? Lying on the couch therapy-style?" Brief asked.
"Only what you're comfortable telling of course. But, if we want to get you back home, laying down all the cards may be necessary." The blonde suggested as Brief nodded.
He smelt something in the air, the orange haired boy perking up. "Something cooking?"
"Why yes! Razzle and Dazzle are cooking up breakfast down below. Steak, pancakes with chocolate sprinkles and hash browns!" She beamed.
"Oh wow! Steak for breakfast? Awesome!" Brief smiled. "Although, how come there's no Sausage and bacon?" Charlie shrugged.
"Angel. He… objected to those items on menu so we just axed them."
Oh yeah he has a pet pig somewhere around here. "That's fair. You mind if I take a shower and clean up?"
"Of course! You have a complimentary robe too!" She walked with Brief into his room and to the bathroom, and with a snap, a fancy maroon robe with black silk trim manifested as Brief's eyes widened.
"Oh wow, nice!" He took it up, checking it out. "Thanks Charlie. So umm, dining room is on the first floor, right?" He asked.
"Second actually. I'll be in my office working on a few things." The red suited Princess stated. "Then we can go down together. Sound good?"
"Absolutely." Brief smiled, and Charlie patted his shoulder and went back to her room as Brief closed the door and took a deep breath.
Maybe this won't be so bad after all.
After a nice refreshing shower, brushing his teeth and washing up, Brief put on the robe with his wifebeater and boxers underneath as he tightened the belt. The robe covered up a lot as he put on his new fluffy slippers too, and Brief smiled at the comfort.
He departed from his room, seeing Charlie awaiting him with a smile as they walked together. "I only brought one pair of clothes. My umm, jumpsuit." Brief rubbed the back of his head. "Is there a place where I can get that washed possibly?"
"Of course, I'd be more than happy to give you a tour." Charlie assured him as they made it to the elevator. As they got inside, heard the music playing over the speakers.
A woman's voice sang in a language he couldn't quite recognize, her voice a beautifully rich contralto filling the air as Charlie led him into the dining room. "Who's singing?"
"Oh, that's my mom." Charlie blushed. Brief perked up.
"Your mom? She sounds beautiful!"
"She is the number one singer in Hell for a reason. Great vocal coach too." Charlie added as they got to the second floor and began to walk on out. They walked down the hall, and Brief looked around the macabre paintings and décor. That feeling of being watched was… absent.
"Don't worry, Alastor is just out on his daily walk." Charlie said. "You're not the only one who finds his peeping annoying."
Brief clammed up. Peeping? His mind went back to the manic little one-eyed demon. Alastor didn't strike him a perv, though. But, then again, this was Hell. "He doesn't do it when I'm in the shower, right?"
"Oh no, not at all. Alastor isn't like that. He likes to troll and mess with people, but that's all. He may not respect other demons' privacy, but he's no pervert." Charlie stated. "Even demons like him have a code."
The way the red suited demon inquired and spoke with him earlier, Brief rubbed his arm. The more he could avoid the so-called Radio Demon, the better. Vortex was utterly terrified of him, and that burly Hellhound clearly knew how to handle himself!
They arrived at the dining room, seeing one of the Goats finishing setting the table. "Ah, Razzle, thank you!" Charlie chimed, petting the small goat demon as Razzle preened under the contact.
"Baaah!"
"Alright, have your seat. Breakfast will be ready momentarily!" Charlie exclaimed. "Want anything to drink?" She asked.
"Ummm, have any milk or orange juice possibly?"
"Orange Juice is… a rarity. We have different fruits here in Hell." The blonde explained. "But I can definitely get some milk. I'll be right back!" She skipped into the kitchen, Razzle looking to Brief and smiling.
"Baah."
"Umm." Brief scratched the side of his cheek. "Good morning to you too Razzle."
"Bah." He nodded, and went back to the kitchen. Dazzle must have been cooking as Brief heard the door open. He turned.
And he saw the white haired demoness, Vaggie, standing there, and she froze a bit when she saw him. Brief turned away, remembering the day before, her vehement opposition to his presence. He looked at his hands, fidgeting, trying to ignore the tightening in his chest.
He glanced up as Vaggie sat down across from him, looking as awkward as he felt.
"Morning." He muttered.
"Morning yourself." Vaggie leaned back in her fancy high laden chair. The sound of Charlie's mother singing hung in the air, underscoring the silence between them. Her one eye looked over and softened before looking back to the orange haired boy. "Hey, Ummm, Brief. I just wanna say I'm sorry."
Brief looked back at her. "Oh?"
"Yeah I… I panicked. I only saw the trouble you were in, the trouble you could bring to us, to this place. All I could think about was all the hard work we'd done to get this place off the ground, how all that was at risk, I didn't stop and think that I was turning away someone in need," Vaggie stated, eye flicking about, avoiding looking at him. "You were someone in need of help, and frankly… I acted like an absolute dick."
Brief was silent as he looked back to her, and saw her looking him in the eye. "If you're not ready to forgive me, I understand. Even so I… I'll do whatever it takes to help you get back home, just like Charlie," she said. "If you like, can we start over from the beginning?" She offered a small smile and extended her hand to him. "Like, I'm Vagatha but… everyone call me Vaggie."
Brief looked at it and then to her.
She seemed genuine, her brusqueness notwithstanding, and the fact that Charlie had made her her administrator had to mean she trusted her. He needed all the help he could get, first impressions notwithstanding. Plus, she's the one offering the olive branch. Already she's steps ahead of the Anarchy Sisters at their best.
Brief returned a small smile and shook her hand. "Well, you know my name." He said with a shake, and the girl seemed to brighten up. "Good to meet you, Vaggie."
"Thanks. And again, if anyone gives you trouble. Just give me a holler, I'll set them straight." She winked with her good eye, and Brief felt good.
"You wanna give me a holler, Briefy~?" Cooed a voice. "I can holler real loud!"
Brief perked up and looked under the table. Seeing a big eye with big sharp teeth in a wide smile.
Why she didn't just go between his legs to startle him is beyond him.
Vaggie's face fell flat, and annoyance settled in.
"I can be a suuuper big cure for ya. Oh! Or do you like whimpers and quiet types? You seem like that kind no offense." Niffty went on to muse as she rested her head on the chair beside him, her clawed hands tip-toing towards Brief. "I can sing like a soprano, or I can you know, bite the pillow hehehehe~"
"Uhhhhhh…" Brief let out, gulping as the demon girl licked her lips. Vaggie got out of her chair and walked around.
"Or do you prefer to 'receive'? Angel goes on and on how friends of his like doing that kind of stuff and-nyep"
Niffty was plucked by the scruff of her neck courtesy of her dress, as if Vaggie was picking up an annoyed cat. And the white haired Moth Demoness chucked the cyclops out of the dining room. Something sounded like it broke.
"Thanks…" Brief sighed in relief.
Vaggie dusted off her hands and looked down at the orange haired lad and smiled. "Anytime, kid."
"Can you watch where yer tossin' that gremlin!? Ya almost got some of her on me!" Said a gruff voice as the two turned, Husk walking on in, looking annoyed.
"Umm, good morning Mr. Husk." Brief waved flaccidly. "Did you, uh, sleep well?"
Husk narrowed his eyes, huffing as he took his seat at the far end of the table. He grabbed his flask and uncorked it, taking a hard swig.
"He said 'good morning' Husk." Vaggie grumbled. "Did you enjoy your night passed out at the bar?"
"I ain't deaf." Husk replied, glaring at the white haired woman as he pocketed it. "And ya shouldn't get cozy with him either, if ya know what's good for ya."
"How about you stop acting like an absolute ass for once in your life?" Vaggie snarled as Brief felt something inside him.
He has been defended many times in his life. (Reluctantly) by the Anarchy Sisters back when he started hanging out with them. And then on the crusade through Oten City to find Panty's pieces, the Demon Sisters stood up for him too, as did Garterbelt. But that was out of necessity. Cold pragmatism due to his know-how on anti-Ghost technology to stop Corset and Stocking's plan.
But here?
"Bite me." Husk growled.
"Careful, Whiskers, Snatch just might take ya up on that~" Oiled a voice as Husk rolled his eyes, turning to its source. "And unlike me, she don't got a safeword."
"Me and my big fucking mouth…" He uttered as Brief saw Angel Dust poking his head in from the hallway, walking in with a bit of a stumble.
Brief saw his eyes settle on him, and the Spider Demon approached, smirking. "Hey, hey, Sleepin' Beauty~"
Oh god.
Brief looked away. "G-Good morning, Angel Dust."
"Awww good morning to you too, cutie." Angel slurred as he approached to take the seat beside Brief.
Only for Vaggie to pop out from under the table and sit beside him.
"Whoa-hoa! Were ya goin' down on him under the table, Snatch?" Angel leered as Vaggie glared. "Into chorizo now~?"
"You're making him uncomfortable. If you want to have breakfast, take any other seat." She growled. "And keep your mouth shut and-" She sniffed the air. "Were you out drinking?"
"So what if I was?" Angel adjusted his top a bit.
"At this time of morning?" Brief asked curiously.
"You said you were going to hang out with a friend and help them out…." Vaggie rubbed the bridge of her nose.
"I waaaas-uh~! Just so happened we was hangin' out at a bar! Barely anyone got hurt!" Angel groused. "Besides, after that fun lil reception the other day, I really needed to blow off some steam! WITHOUT blowing some heads." Vaggie narrowed her eyes. "Their heads off with my guns, I mean. Christ on a stick, ya always assume the worst!"
"Considering your track record, they're less 'assumptions' and more 'predictions'." Vaggie muttered.
"Sue me, bitch! Ya got sent down here cuz you was in a mob. You ain't better than me." Angel took his seat at the far end and smirking as Vaggie bared her teeth. "Besides, the kid over there looks stressed as all get out." He ran his hand over his chest floof, winking at the human. "Just so happens I'm a expert at relievin' stress~"
Brief felt his guts clench as cold anxiety crept up his spine; he'd seen that kind of look before. He felt Vaggie's hand settle on his shoulder, and Brief felt the feelings ebb away somewhat.
"Or you can hog him to yourself. Guess ya need somethin' to spice up your Almeja Luchadore Fiestas hehehehe~" He cackled.
"Now you're just being sexist AND racist." Vaggie snarled. "Jackass."
"Hey, if that pisses ya off more." Angel replied as he got his phone out and trawled on it as the door opened.
"Who wants Pancaaaakes~!" Charlie sang, pushing out a trolly, smiling as she saw the attendants. "And good morning everyone."
"Hmmn." Husk groused.
"Sup Chucky, got any of the chocolate pancakes?" Angel asked.
"That I do! Oh! Vaggie, you're sitting next to Brief?" Charlie asked.
"Yeah. Figured I'd switch things up." Vaggie replied as Charlie took her seat beside Brief.
"Alrighty, after we fill up we can start on Brief's road to redemption!" Charlie declared.
"Go right ahead, ain't got nothin to do with me." Husk took his plate from the Goat Boys and gnashed into a flapjack and steak. Brief looked at his plate, the aroma lighting up his eyes as he began to dig in.
A day without eating can do that as he looked to Charlie.
"Thank you very much." He said, and Charlie grinned, feeling grateful. "It's delicious!"
"I'll be takin' mine to go." Angel yawned, grabbing his plate and going up. "Been up all night. And hey, Briefy, tell me how yer threesome goes. I can give ya pointers on how t'be a team player~" He winked, and Brief just cut and munched on his steak, saying nothing.
"Cabron." Vaggie muttered under her breath while Charlie pouted.
"Angel," said Charlie, primly affronted. "Please keep that sort of talk to a minimum. Not everyone is as comfortable with sexuality as you are."
"Whateva, prude. Whelp, see ya past noon." Angel waved lazily as he left the dining room.
"Don't mind him. Angel's a decent guy… underneath the porn star mob gangster… jerk façade." Charlie assured with a smile. "He's all talk."
"He's living up to that at least." Brief mused as Vaggie huffed and ate from her pancakes. "So, what will we be doing?"
"We'll get to it later. For now, let's just eat. Can't start the road to recovery on an empty stomach!" Charlie declared.
(X)
Loona arrived back at the office, bag of McDahmer's in hand as she got inside, sitting back at the desk as she went to the computer. She had a small written slip of paper with the new information she has.
Opening a browser, she went to the dummy email site and logged on in. A simple blank email inbox.
Looking at the slip of paper, she got to typing in her first email.
'Nebula
Made my email. Any word on how Brief is doing? Lemme know when you can.
Loona'
She sighed, feeling a sense of relief inside her with that hurdle cleared. Jot down one. Next…
She looked at the calendar. Today is indeed the day.
She went to the vault, grabbing the Grimoire and going back to her desk as her cellphone buzzed.
'Beem me up Loony 3' Blitzo, with the image of the Eiffel Tower's balcony as three college aged girls dangled from the rafters, dead eyed, as the imp gave a V sign and stuck out his tongue.
Guess they're done. Her normal email pinged, and she got the next video file they no doubt sent. With one hand she grabbed it and placed it in IMP's cloud, the other hand glowed as she turned the page and activated the portal spell. France. Paris. Eiffel Tower Balcony.
The Portal came forth, and Loona can see the human world. It was morning in Paris, but she could see smoke and fires in the city as Blitzo came walking on in.
"Haaaa home sweet home!" He called out as Moxxie and Millie came out wearing… red-white striped attire, Millie in a dress, and Moxxie in a suit naturally.
"Oh Moxxie, c'était tout simplement incroyable." Millie drawled, hand to her face as her accent made Loona's eye twitch. "Oh, j'aurais pu continuer encore et encore là pour toujours avec toi, mon amour."
"Ahhhh Mildred, ma chérie, je tuerais tous les manifestants, les policiers, les politiciens si cela signifiait que nous pouvions danser et nous promener dans les rues de la ville lumière." Moxxie drawled, cupping her cheek as the two began to kiss and their tongues began to dance and intertwine.
Ugh.
"Get a fucking room." Loona muttered, closing the Portal as the two were still embracing. "How long have they been like this?"
"Last two hours." Blitzo replied, shaking his head. "Got the hang of speaking Escargot and now they can't stop." He uttered, looking sour as Millie was busy groping Moxxie's ass. "Say something that'll make'em stop."
"Been snacking on Beige-nets I see, been going to your ass as usual." Loona drawled, and that got Moxxie perked up.
"First off, ass." Moxxie snarked back, glaring. "It's pronounced beignets, you uncultured swine." He said with a swish of his hand. "And secondly, Millie and I had only a several! We could have gotten more if we weren't pressed for time."
"Well you know the mantra Moxx, time is money and frankly we all deserve a little downtime." Blitzo stretched his back. "Haaaa, man what a blender and a half. Don't think we killed that many fuckwads since that Spring Break special."
Loona closed her dummy email browser and brought up the company email one and showed it to the curved horn imp. "Here. Got some good feedback too."
There was. Plenty of emails with transactions via online payment as Blitzo's eyes widened and he grinned.
"Alright! Way to stay on top'a'things Loonie! And you did a good job holding down the place too." Blitzo said, hands on his hips as Moxxie and Millie went to the armory.
"Oh wow, Moxie! You dusted this place up!" Millie's voice came from the other room as Blitzo perked up.
"Strange, I didn't do that." Moxxie replied as Blitzo went to the windowsill.
"Say, I don't see a lot of dust in here…" Blitzo mused as He looked around the office. "Did you clean up the place Loona?"
"Her? Clean?" Moxxie asked. "Sir, I doubt it. She most likely hired a cleaning crew and-"
"Nope. All me." Loona said. "Didn't hire anybody. Was bored out of my fucking mind and cleaned the place up to kill time." She looked down at her phone.
Moxxie was dumbstruck as Millie looked around the floorboards too. "Heeey… even got the floorboards too! Not bad Loona."
"Yeah, saved us some cash too…" Blitzo murmured. "Tell ya what gang, why don't we close up for the day and hit that dive down the street. New one just opened up!"
"There's always a new dive bar opening down the street sir." Moxxie said.
"I know and it's why I wanna check it out before it gets blown up or some shit." Blitzo shrugged. Loona gnawed at her hamburger and fries a little, looking at the trio and then the book.
"You guys can do that. I gotta drop off the book to Stolas." Loona said.
"Oh yeah today is that time of month isn'-wait what." Blitzo turned, eyes wide. "Loona how do you know that?"
"It's on the calendar, for one." She gestured to the calendar behind her. "And two, Stolas and I talked over the phone while you guys were cutting up the Frogs. He wants his book back."
She pocketed her phone, Blitzo sighing hard through his nose and his hand running down his face. Whatever good vibes he had from the successful massacre was evaporating fast.
"You two talked about the Book?" Blitzo asked, eyes hard. He sighed, and Loona can see Moxxie and Millie look concerned.
"Umm, don't you and Stolas have, like, a thing going on though?" Loona asked.
"Yeah, we do. I don't want to deal with his feathered ass right now." Blitzo huffed and sighed hard in frustration. "I'll take the book and-"
"Blitz, I can take it to him if you want." Loona stated. "You don't have to see him. He and I already talked."
The curved horn Imp looked out the window. "Okay, just give the book to him and leave. And if he so much as puts one hand on you I'm chopping it off and shoving it up his ass!" He growled.
"Blitz, did… something happen on that night I went to Vortex's?" She asked. Okay something had to have happened.
"Yeah, he-" Moxxie was silenced by a glare thrown by their boss. And Loona stood up.
"Blitz, look. He and I talked, and he just wants his book back for his duties. I can sleep in the van outside his mansion, and when he's done with it. I can get it back and it's back here in the vault." Loona assured as she finished her burger in a few bites. Blitzo glared to the side and sighed. "I'll be fine. Besides, I don't think I'm his type and he's DEFINITELY not mine."
"You have a type?" Moxxie mused, and Loona rolled her eyes.
Blitzo sighed through his nose. "Okay. If he so much as makes you feel uncomfortable, even once, leave and call me." He uttered, going up to her and holding her hand. "Promise me, okay?" He asked, his eyes filled with concern. "Can you please do that for me, Loonie?"
…
"I promise." Loona nodded, and Blitzo nodded.
"Alright." He sighed, before looking back to Moxxie and Millie. "Now, how about we see what drinks they got on tap! Woo!" He said gleefully, happy to move onto better things as Millie smiled.
"Well, I would love to try something hot and hard…" Moxxie perked up, and… Blitzo too. "Definitely some of Satan's Sulfurum! Maybe they got some of that?"
"Millie, you devil, you surprise me everyday I love that hard shit!" Blitzo said with a grin as they went on out.
"Still… why would Loona ever even consider cleaning…" Moxxie pondered aloud as they left the office.
Sighing contentedly, the hound girl opened up the email and reopened the dummy email browser.
Already a message!
'Heya Loona!
Brief is with the Happy Hotel now, and he's under the Princess' protection. They'll work to find him a way home, but I imagine he could use some friends to help guide him too.
Tex will also see this email too when he gets back from work.
Nebula'.
Loona smiled and sighed in relief as she closed it, and began to shut down the electronics around the office, as Blitzo tended to leave them on after his benders. She had her backpack, stashed the book and locked up the office. She was down in the van within minutes and was on the road towards the Goetia Quarter, the home of the Goetia Clan.
(X)
Corset watched Hell speed by from the window of the limousine, which was built more like a triple decker bus and was three times longer as it sped along the highway in Pentagram City Central, more like a mansion on wheels than a vehicle. The human-sized Incubus looked out of sorts besides four powerful Overlords. R.A. was checking his watch, Ignatius and Cornelius were testing their various charms and enchantments, loading up for bear.
And at the very back of the limo, Rahk Sagkhal sat silent with his finger draping over the arm of his seat.
"So, your plan is to just, what, go to the Happy Hotel and ask for him back?" Corset asked, looking to R.A.
The Lizard Sinner smirked. "Yes. Why, I am his grandfather. An established Overlord and I can say that I wish to help aid my grandson in his predicament."
"Just out of the goodness of your heart and sheer familial love, yes?" Corset asked, arching an eyebrow. "Wouldn't she be a little skeptical about that?"
"Charlotte may be powerful, but she's a naive, romantic airhead," R.A. scoffed. "All I have to do is play on her soft heart and idealism and she'll be clay in our hands."
"Do not underestimate her, Robert." Rahk spoke, his blazing eyes alight as the lizard turned towards his ancient ancestor. "Remember our Lord's words. She allows the masses to mock her. Her power no doubt dwarfs even my own."
"I am aware ancestor." R.A. nodded, adjusting his tie. "For you see, I have a secret weapon. A talent I've honed and sharpened to a razor's edge. It's what allowed me to transform the Rock Foundation from a mere company into a global superpower!"
"And what talent is that?" Corset asked, seeing his old associate as R.A.'s tongue flickered, the Sinner smirking.
"The lovely gift of lying, with a dash of emotional manipulation mixed in for good measure."
Corset sat back in his seat, trying to shake this unsettling feeling he has in his gut. "Maybe we shouldn't come about in… one big fancy limousine." The blue skinned demon suggested. "I mean, if only R.A. is going to pick him up, surely this is a bit… excessive?"
"Nonsense, Corset." Ignatius chuckled. "After all this time, the Key has been born. This is something we must see with our own eyes."
"Indeed." Cornelius added, smirking lowly. "And I'll admit to wanting some firsthand info as to how my descendant bagged him an Angel!"
"T-that's it? Then why don't you ask me! That orange haired simpleton earned the attention of that gonorrhea addled hussy by-GAARGH!"
His throat was suddenly ensnared in scaley, muscular coils. Rahk's ophidian staff was suddenly a very real and very much ALIVE cobra, choking the life out of him as it hissed in his face with rancid, sulfurous breath. Carset struggled as he was lifted off his feet. He turned to see Rahk glaring at him.
"Do not insult my progeny, curr." Rahk hissed.
"Grrrggh! Hhhhnngghgghrgrgr!" He couldn't breathe! Those coils, so strong, so… tight!
"He will be the Key to our ultimate salvation. Ultimate power and prestige throughout all of Creation." Ignatius rumbled, his blackened coal like frame burning red.
"Mmmmrggigigigiiiiiii!" Corset's eyes were bulging as the staff tightened its grip.
"For we shall throw Heaven down." Ignatius' metallic voice oiled as he glowed red. "And take the thrones for ourselves beside our Majesty and of Lucifer."
"The War will be won," Rahk hissed. "And we will not be denied our prize. So, it is in your best interest, whelp…" He brought his eyes closer, as Corset can't even see his reflection into those burning orbs in Rahk's skull. "…to keep your mouth shut, when concerning my progeny. Understand me?"
"I…. think you… awoke something!" Corset confessed, and he was released and gasped… and shuddered as the pain and oxygen came rushing back in and his chest pressed against his own bindings.
What… a rush.
"Typical lust-addled fool." Rahk mused. "I bet that must have been how you were foiled on Earth."
"Your little Key…" Corset coughed. "Is to blame for that. He turned those two miserable homunculi of yours against me!" He hissed. "Against us!"
"Scanty and Kneesocks? They were born and bred for the singular purpose of bringing about our plan." R.A. said. "Their loyalty was absolute, conditioned into them from birth… how did he turn them against us?"
"If our progeny was able to seduce an Angel, his skill in the art of the bedchamber must be truly legendary!" Ignatius stated, cackling.
"While I don't doubt it, there's more than one way to woman's heart. I bet he inherited his grandpappy's golden tongue!" Cornelius said, looking infinitely pleased with himself.
Corset felt a smirk pull at the side of his mouth. How droll it would be to see them slowly realize what an absolute milquetoast bore their precious progeny was. A frail, neurotic friendless nerd with all the charisma of a crusty sock and half the spine. Still, it begged the question of how such a hapless geek turned his enhanced 'daughters' against him. Sure he turned the two into weapons but it was all for the common good! They could have easily crawled back and groveled for forgiveness but they just… stood by him and that loathsome priest Garterbelt. Not like it was his fault or anything.
Perhaps his key really was that good!
'…Must investigate further…' he thought to himself, luridly.
"He is blood of my blood," Rahk stroked his beard. "A pity his existence will cease once he opens the Gates in full." He sighed. "But, a small price for throwing down the Heavens and ascending–"
The massive Limousine came to a screeching halt, and Corset flew off his feet and bashed against one of Cornelius' metal arms, the steam-whistle protruding from his shoulder screeching as the hulking metal Sinner barely seemed to notice. Corset tumbled to the ground, swearing as he clutched his smarting nose.
"What is the meaning of this?" Rahk growled.
R.A. sighed, scooting over and grabbing a corded mic that connected to the driver's cabin. "Driver, explain yourself."
Corset rose to his feet, groaning as he shook his head, clearing away the .
"R-R-R-R-Radi… Radio-!" The driver on the other end stammered, but the line was cut and R.A. perked up. Corset saw a figure dart past outside and opened the window, turning to see their Imp Driver sprinting down the street as fast as his little hooves could take him.
"You insolent whelp!" Ignatius cursed, leaping from the limo. "I'll see you burned to a crisp and boiled to soup!"
The other members of the Rock Family exited the vehicle and turned to see the cause of the affront. Before the immense lavish black-and-red-trimmed Limousine, in the middle of the crosswalk, stood a demon in red.
Corset heard the whir and whine of the radio, his heart going cold and dropping into his guts. What was he doing here?!
"You have some nerve, charlatan!" Cornelius bellowed, his smoke stacks belching flaming smog in outrage. "You dare challenge us?!"
"Challenge you? Gracious, I was merely crossing the street." The grey skinned Sinner mused, his voice was hollow and crackling, like an old recording. "You see, I am on my way to have a lovely chat with an old friend of mine. If anything , I should be giving you the ol' business for your atrocious roadmanners." The red-suited demon raised his hand, slowly wagging his finger. "Tut-tut."
"Wait…" Ignatius said, squinting. "Is that…?"
"Alastor…" Corset croaked, quietly making backsteps away from the Radio Demon. Far down the boulevard he can see it. A faint spec not even a mile away. The Happy Hotel. Coincidence? He thought not!
"What are you doing here, Radio Demon!?" Cornelius snarled. "This isn't your turf!"
"No?" Alastor crooned, spreading his arms wide before setting down his staff with a red crackle of energy. "But Corny, don't you know that everywhere I find myself is my turf? Claiming it as so is merely a formality…"
"So," rumbled Rahk, eyes narrowing. "You claim this neighborhood as your own?"
"Yes indeedy, my friend!" He declared, and his microphone staff tapped the ground, an immense shadowy shape rearing up behind him.
On instinct, Corset took off down the street, skidding to a stop before jinking down an alleyway, scrambling behind a dumpster. He panted shrilly, his blue face pale and slick with sweat. This presence… not even Asmodeus was so terrifying.
"And you." His voice boomed as it came from everywhere, the world growing dark and red as the whir and whine of the radio grew louder. Deafening. "Are not welcome here."
Brief is settling in, Loona's going to get lessons, and we have Alastor being the roadblock to the Rocks.
Hope you all enjoyed!