"Angel Dust!" Valentino bellowed buffing a long drag from his cigarette holder. He had his business meeting with the lord of Lust himself. Not often that his studio is graced by the very lord of the ring himself. Everything had to be perfect! Everything had to be settled in for the Lord to be impressed. The More impressed he is the more likely he would agree to terms and the negotiations that are about to begin as soon as he would arrive would go towards the favor of high overlord of the very sin that, Asmodeus rules over as its embodiment.
"Where are you little skinny meat bag! You were to present yourself out here this instant!" Screamed the Overlord his patience wearing very thin. He was standing in the middle of his studio as the demons around him prepared it all for the Sin's arrival. Everything was cleaned to the point where the floors and walls gleamed. Followed some spotlights with scented candles to give the room an exotic aroma that would undoubtedly please the Lord of Lust himself. But what Valentino needed to truly gain the attention of, Asmodeus was Valentino's shining star. His best worker and his favorite among all those he owned under contract of souls, Angel Dust.
Angel Dust had heard his master yelling for him from his dressing room. The Poor sinner utterly hated his master. He hated everything around him. Looking around the dressing room that was his once it made him satisfied as the ones he would soon entertain and be with. He would perform past the expectations of those who cheered for his name. Showered him with so many tips it would rain dollar bills. His performances were praised highly by every patron and every client and when his company was requested by either paid for private company and to party with individuals that his master ordered that he would spend his night with, Angel Dust had his work cut out for him.
By now the sinner had hated this life. The Life he foolishly put himself on contract for in a moment of weakness. He allowed temptation to get the best of him and he allowed his soon to be master to charm him with promises of fame and fortune. What he needed to do was sign his name. The Name he would soon cast aside, and his new stage name would be his new and improved one.
He may be pretty as his name implies and certainly had the charm and the moves to entertain all but Angel Dust was nothing like what his new first name implied at all. Deep within himself as the years rolled by did he finally start seeing the truth in how poorly he choose to sign his soul away for someone that was not worth the spit that could be shot in his direction. But as his contract stated when he is at work what, Valentino says. Goes! And he needed to get out to present himself to him for he delayed himself as long as he could.
Running out of his dressing room wearing a pink robe he ran to Valentino who was very unhappy to see his best worker not coming the second he was called. "What kept you?!" Growled Valentino leaning down his head, Angel's eye level taking another puff of his cigarette and blew the smoke in the sinners face making him cough and sputter.
"Sorry Val. Just had to make sure my makeup was right!" Apologized Angel and Val bared his teeth and was about to smack Angel and the sinner winced in fear but, Valentino lowered his hand grasping, Angel's chin sharply.
"Your lucky that make up is on you and that his majesty will be here any minute otherwise I would be smacking that insolence out of your mouth!" Growled Valentino starting down at, Angel through his heart shaped glasses. His pointed teeth on display on his vile mouth. His moth form standing straight with his robe made from his wings covering him up showing how he was the biggest player in management profession.
"I'm sorry Val!" Wheezed Angel trying to fight the urge to resist him looking so helpless in his contracts grip. He was such a sinister moth demon and Angel cursed the day he signed onto that contract that bound his soul to him.
Valentino still was quite angry with Angel but there was no time. Shoving him back slightly he pointed towards a stage that was set up with a pole in the middle of it. "Get your scrawny butt on that stage and you better be shaking it good for when my special guest will arrive. If you even as much as a look of disappointment I will beat the every loving shit out of you that you will be triple jointed by the time I am finished! Am I clear?!"
Angel Dust nodded fearfully. "Yes. Mr. Valentino!"
Valentino grinned licking his chops taking another puff from the cigarette and adjusted his hat. "Good boy." He said in a calmer manner. "Now let's see what you're hiding under there!"
Taking a deep breath Angel threw off his robe revealing himself in nothing but a small pink mini skirt that hardly hid much letting the rest of his body be on full display with heels on his feet.
Valentino moaned in delight. Even after all these decades his favorite star always impressed him with his delightful looks. With how Angel's makeup made him shine all the more. His cute looks along with that skinny body of his along with his long arms. Such a perfect specimen. If only he was more like the old Angel Dust who was once so eager to please and ready to take the next performance to the max level.
"Delicious!" He complimented but Angel just ignored it and went up to the stage climbing up it and readied himself on the pole just as the door to the studio opened up and, Valentino turned to him and bowed to the Lord of all lust.
"Welcome sire! It is truly an honor." He welcomed and snapped his fingers, and the lights dimmed, and spotlights were focused on, Angel who began to perform on the pole for both his contractor and for, Asmodeus who looked like he didn't wish to be there anymore than, Angel did.
Stolas was in the back of his limousine feeling rather excited. Lucius was sitting at his left while his daughter Octavia was at his right. In front of him was Moxxie and Millie along with Loona. He had cordially invited them along as well though it saddened him that, Blitz was not going to join with them having told him he was going out with his old friend instead. Preferably he was still upset for signing him onto Verosika's show and having him be used like he was.
Moxxie looked at the Prince smiling happily to him. "I want to thank you again, your highness for inviting us along." He thanked.
Stolas nodded. "Of course! I think co-workers under my, Blitzy deserve a treat. I am happy to have you both along. It means a lot to me and my family!" He wrapped his arms over Lucius and Octavia. The Boy blushed slightly along with Via who looked annoyed but couldn't help but smile. Her dad loved her and undoubtedly loved the human too. She still had some doubts about Lucius. It wasn't as if he was rude or hard to live with. Quite respectful and she did show him her room as she said she would. He was quite nice and the way he marveled over everything made her grin. She thought her tastes were rather poor but the way looked around with such sparkle in his eyes truly he was not someone to be feared but deep within she couldn't help but worry for the future. She was there when Lucifer had confronted her father in his study after the incident that exposed his humanity.
Through all the disciplinary shouts and the calling onto her father for his secrecy over a heavy matter having been standing outside the door and watched through the cracks on how the King of Hell reprimanded on her father for doing something that was a clear violation of many sacred laws but given to, Lucius's peculiar condition there was an exception.
Stolas was on his knee's towards Lucifer who looked down on him angrily. This matter was so serious that he had not been this angry since the attempt on his daughters life during the extermination or when that, Alastor tried to make a fool out of him when he saw his daughters hotel for the first time.
"Now then am I clear this time, Prince Stolas!?" Bellowed Lucifer with his arms folded with, Stolas looking up at him rather fearfully. He knew somehow the secret would be discovered but not like this.
"Yes, your Majesty!" Stolas bowed his head so low he touched the floor with his forehead.
Lucifer took a deep breath to calm himself. "Next time if there is something amiss then I am to be informed. If the child did not have essence in him I would have certainly sent him back to the mortal realm and I would have had no choice but to put you on trial!" Warned the King.
"I understand. I am at fault on this. I can't express how wrong I was about this." Stolas exclaimed feeling guilty and like a fool for trying to ignore that there was much more to, Lucius than first imagined.
"You are!" Stated Lucifer. "But the boy needs his father as your daughter and from this point on I want updates on anything, and this time watch him more carefully before an accident can occur."
"I will! You have my word! I will send him to Fizzarolli at once!" Stolas proclaimed.
"Good. I will take my leave now. Good day to you now. Give my regards to your children." Lucifer asked before taking his leave twirling his staff but noticed, Via peering through the door. He gave her an apologetic look with a quick tip of his hat before he vanished and, Via left without having her father know that he heard everything.
Via now knew that Lucius had something within him that mysterious as well as it dangerous. Was it right for him to be around when he could be a threat? But he was too kind to be a danger. Octavia just didn't know how to feel but being with her father despite the troubles made her feel safe.
Lucius was unaware of the meeting between his adopted father and the King of hell having been brought home and was asked to remain his room. The Boy did ask the King not to be angry with Stolas but, Lucifer had only told him that one must be firm with others when they do something wrong, but he had assured him, Stolas will not face anything capital worth only thanks to the boy. He promised that would meet again soon before he left and he heard nothing for hours until, Stolas came to his room trying to appear happy and told him he was going to take him to see, Fizzarolli for lessons.
The Boy looked up at Stolas with curiosity as he had been rather silent during the trip. "What is this restaurant were going to?" He asked.
"I heard some rather remarkable reviews on it. Be it in the Gluttony ring it certain to accommodate all of us. My treat today for us all!" Exclaimed Stolas happily.
"Mighty kind of ya, sir!" Thanked Millie.
"Yeah…might be nice. Least better than the scraps we have in the office." Loona said lowly though she gave Octavia a smile both of them still having good thoughts over the party they went to in the Gluttony circle and now they were heading back there again so soon for different reasons.
The Group in the limo waited for a few more minutes until they finally drove into the one cities within the Gluttony Ring. Least there Lucius could actually look around without a blind fold on. The City looked a lot cleaner as the streets were clean and the sky around was yellow with grand buildings. Plenty of demons everywhere but nothing to worry on as, Stolas again had cast the illusional spell on him. Though he hoped another incident would not happen with the boy though from what happened the last two times it came when he was under a lot of distress. Where they were going surely would not cause any form of that. All their stomachs were grumbling and if the reviews Stolas had read on it were true then they all were in for a treat.
"We're here!" Called Stolas happily with the driver stopping the vehicle and the servant in the passenger seat got out and went to the passenger door and opened it up. Octavia stepped out first along with, Stolas and Lucius along with their three guests. They all stood in front of a restaurant that was two stories tall. It was glamorous by the look of it. The Building was a rotunda and there was a line waiting for those to be welcomed in once seats were available but when, Stolas approached the doors every demon bowed in the presence of the prince.
"Reservation for Goetia? Table for six." Asked Stolas the little imp standing on a chair for the stand that was bigger than it was.
"Ah! Yes, your highness!" The Imp bowed looking at the reservations list on his stand. "Please enter and follow a server to your table."
Stolas nodded thankfully taking the hands of both his daughter and Lucius and headed in with the others following him through the doors. A Server Imp gestured him to follow but the moment they entered at the center of the rotunda in an open kitchen space was a large octopus demon. Its tentacles were stretching out all around working over the many pots and pans filled with all sorts of meats, soups, vegetables being cooked or chopped with them as the kitchen staff around was going about over and under the tentacles trying their best to keep the pace but the octopus demon was doing some of the cooking and all the poor cooks were getting were fiery insults.
The Entire restaurant was being filled with so much cursing coming from the octopus demon that Stolas had to snap his fingers casting a very basic spell for his son that would block out the horrid noise. This maybe Hell but the child should not have to hear so much fowl language at once.
Stolas started to doubt those reviews he found. Most prestigious restaurant in all of Gluttony? Maybe he was wrong, but he could not leave after already paying for their table and promised them all a meal. They were led a large booth with enough room to let three of them sit on both sides of it.
Via, Stolas and Lucius sat on one side with the boy on the outer part while, Moxxie, Millie and Loona sat on the other side. Being handed their menus the six of them began to look at what was being served. Stolas had told them to order as they like for it was his treat. The Menu had so much to select from that Lucius didn't know where to even begin. But he found what he desired but his attention was watching that octopus chief. He had straight hair and hands and tentacles were all over the place. He couldn't exactly hear what was being said but he knew it wasn't polite the way the octopus screamed at so many of the cooks and servers holding up spices and tools and even flung a bowl of soup into the garbage just as it was taken out from a soup pan. Whatever was said to the poor imp made him run off crying throwing down the apron apparently quitting the job.
Lucius was unsure about coming her, but he was not going to complain at all for his father was taking them out. All of Hell certainly was like this minus some of the individuals he met who treated him kindly and with fairness.
But then suddenly a familiar voice screeched that sent shivers down his spine. Could it be? He noticed Stolas perked up and his eyes went wide he was surprised then his face turned frustrated and, Via was concerned. The Others in front of them they too were just as shocked. Stolas turned his head around and believed a divine prank was being played on him. It was Stella! What in all the rings of Hell was she doing there?!
Stolas was about to say something when their eyes locked onto each other's with great disdain in them only for a large behemoth to come wallowing inside the restaurant. It was Mammon! The High Sin of the Greed Ring.
"Oh, my crumbs!" Gasped Moxxie. "What is he doing here?! What is she doing here?!" He cried.
"Yeah! Of all the folks we'd think we see not what I expected to find here!" Millie agreed.
"Dad?" Octavia wrapped her arm around her father's rather fearfully. She always spent time at her mothers on weekends but the way she tended to look at her father with such hate frightened her and now one of the Sins with her.
"Stolas!" Stella said blankly her voice oozing with hate in it as she came up to the table.
"Stella! Pray tell why are you here?" Demanded Stolas.
"Like I need to explain myself to you, imp sucker!" Screeched Stella taking a look among those that table. She gave her daughter a blank look but the rest she gave a stern look. "Again, you disgrace yourself and the rest of our kind! Sitting with vermin, and nameless cretins you take off the streets! Your so plebian you give it a bad name!"
"Hey babe! Is this the dead beat you told me about?" Asked Mammon in a snarky manner. Coming behind Stella putting his hands over her shoulders. She hated his touch, but she did agree to this, but had she known she would run into her Ex at this disreputable place?
"Unfortunately!" Stella grumbled feeling like she had been pranked.
"Seems your taste has fallen quite drastically yourself!" Retorted Stolas and Loona had her camera recording this scene with a small grin on her face for this would be quite a hit. Mammon didn't appreciate that remark and snorted at him.
"Best watch your tone there princy!" Warned Mammon before looking at Lucius. "Perhaps the pipsqueak would want to hang out with the King of green!" He reached for Lucius as the boy backed up into his adopted father and, Stolas wrapped his arm over him his eyes gleaming with rage feeling his true form coming up.
"Stay away from my son!" He warned red flashes coming from his eyes. But then a server imp came up to them with a notepad.
"Uhh…your orders?" He asked nervously. And all stared at him with either sneering or dumbfounded looks but then again, Mammon too was rather hungry. As fun as it was to make threats he wanted to eat too.
"Come on babe! Let's find a spot and chill!" He suggested to his date to an empty spot far across the other end of the restaurant. Stella nodded to him though she was repulsed by his manners and questioned herself on why she gave in to him, but she gave her ex a dark look before walking over to the empty spot and hoped at the very least the food and drinks would be pleasant enough to bear while, Stolas and the others ordered what they wanted.
Back in the Lust Ring in the studio run by Valentino, Asmodeus was at his wits end with Val! For too long now he was sitting in the middle of the room listening to, Valentino's offers. How he was willing to pay top dollar for many of the Sin's assets in exchange for promoting his business's across all of Pentagram city and the cities beyond it.
The Deals being offered were poor at best but that wasn't just the only problem. Every seconds a servant passed back and, Val would snatch them by the hair or a collar or anything one of any of his arms could reach or snag. Demanding drinks. Better music and most of all every time he looked to his side to find, Angel Dust trying so hard to keep up the pace with music as he spun himself on the pole and tried to keep his performance going but it was becoming increasingly difficult. He was exhausted as he was woozy having to flip and twirl so much now he could barely see through his eyes and his strength was waned so much he could barely keep a grip on the pole.
"ANGEL! DID I TELL YOU TO STOP?! KEEP GOING NOW YOU LITTLE CUNT!" Shouted Valentino and Angel Dust picked up the pace in his performance but, Asmodeus gave the sinner demon a sympathetic look. Poor little guy. Even in Ozzie's his performers did their job, but he always gave them breaks between them or had someone replace them should they need to sit down but, Angel Dust has been performing on the same pole for over two hours now!
Asmodeus tried to suggest something but then Angel Dust, while doing a flip off the pole his legs that were holding onto it slipped off through a poor grip and he ended up stumbling off the pole hitting his head and rolled off the stage. It would almost be amusing if it wasn't surprising that the demon had performed his last dance for the day but, Valentino was furious!
Standing up from his seat he stomped over to Angel who could barely get to his feet before Valentino grabbed him by the hair and pulled him up painfully.
"Ahh…Val I…" Angel tried to plead but Valentino backhanded Angel across the face.
"Silence! You stupid disgraceful little wretch! You dare make a mockery of my studios in front of his majesty?!" Roared the Overlord.
"Please…I" Angel was silenced as he was launched across the room and was about to hurl over, Asmodeus but the Sin caught him and settled him safely back on the floor.
"Enough! We're done here Valentino!" The Sin stood up and let Angel gently moved Angel off the side giving him a slight sympathetic smile.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN?!" Valentino grabbed his wings unveiling around him holding him out with great anger but, Asmodeus glared at him.
"You and I are done! No more! I am not negotiating with you and our business together are done! You claim yourself to be the pinnacle of lust, but your vision is wrong! Misplaced and feeble minded! Lust is all about consent and a passion of art! Yours is a shadow! We are done and shall never do business again!" Stated Asmodeus but Valentino shouted back at him.
"You can't do this to me?!" Retorted Valentino but Asmodeus grew to a bigger size and his flames became red hot blue and he stomped the floor hard enough to press his foot through it partially.
"YOU DARE BELIEVE YOU CAN TELL ME WHAT I CAN DO?! Do not forget your place! Shout out to me like you own one of your contracted souls again and test your luck!" Warned Asmodeus his flames bursting out and brushed over, Val's insect wings singeing them slightly making him yelp from the burns and all the staff who were around listening to the Sin's decrees made them admire him. No one stands up to Val like that without suffering the consequences. It was good to see him get put down like that but they all had to rush to douse some flames that ignited around as, Asmodeus left and, Angel Dust quickly ran for his dressing room and locked the door hoping that the hour was almost up and he could leave before, Valentino has a chance to hit him again while silently thanking, Asmodeus for giving him some reprieve from his masters abuse.
Back at the restaurant with Stella and Mammon around it was hard for everyone there to enjoy their meals. The food was delicious and their chosen dishes were cooked to absolute perfection but the sight of the hated ex and her poor choice of a date just a few booths down made, Stolas watch her knowing that with her around there would be trouble.
But it did amuse him slightly to watch Mammon annoy her to no end. While she tried to eat and drink with class he scarfed down plate after plate. Making an absolute mess of the table and covering the surroundings with droppings that he didn't swallow. The irritated look on Stella's face was priceless in Stola's mind. The One good thing if not being around friends and family enjoying a good meal together was second.
Stella tried her absolute best to remain calm but Mammon kept chewing loudly. Slurping down drink after drink and he kept talking about himself of all the people he swindled countless individuals. Sinners. Imps. Hellhounds and the frustrations over the recent betrayal of one of his own that was his best cash grabber until he decided to turn tail and flee to his rooster babe. If he didn't have Ozzie he would be absolutely nothing!
"WILL YOU SHUT UP ALREADY?!" Screamed Stella having finally had enough of Mammon's gloating and complaining! "GET OVER YOURSELF?! WHY DID I EVEN AGREE TO COME HERE WITH YOU SUROUNDED MY TRAITORS! CHEATERS! LIARS! DECIEVERS! PLEBIAN SCUM AND LOWER CLASS FOLLY!"
The Entire restaurant all stopped and looked at the Goetia that screamed so loudly some of the staff were rubbing their ears and even, Lucius's own ears were ringing so much they hurt.
Stella's outburst only amused Mammon. He loved that fire in a spicy woman! Seeing her feathers ruffled up and the cute face excited him. "Well babe I think ya just need time to warm up to me! I think I offer you a lot more than that twig you called a husband over there! Look at him! Sitting there with a little bitch and bastard!"
Stolas stormed out of his seat flying up to Mammon in his demonic form spreading out his dark wings at him. "You dare insult my children?!"
Mammon glared at him. "You dare stare at me with hostile intention?!"
"Will you both just stop! You're embarrassing me!" Bellowed Stella but at the kitchen area the Octopus chief was not having it!
"Hey you lot! I do the yelling around here! Shut up!" He shouted but Stella glared at him!
"Stay in your place!" She spat but that was the last straw for the Octopus!
"My restaurant! My Kitchen! My Place! You cross into my territory! I'll have you basted and broiled for that!" The Octopus demon picked up a series of knives, cleavers and pots and pans with food still cooking or boiling in them. Stolas eyes lit up and went back to his table and quickly cast a shield spell over the booth protecting his children and family friends from the shower of sharp objects and hot kitchen accessories and food.
Mammon kept his mouth open taking in the volley of food only for a pan or two to collide on his face. Stella was hit was gizzard that immediately stained her white dress and though she hated to do it took cover behind the larger Mammon. But while she was taking cover she screamed up at him. "This is your fault!" Though again Mammon took it as a complement. He wasn't the one who began screaming and irritated the envy chef demon, but he enjoyed the chaos.
Everyone in the restaurant either ducked for cover or fled it as the entire place began to become a battlefield and with so many taking cover no one was attempting to try and subdue the chef. Stolas's spell was protecting his own, but this has gone long enough. He soared at the Chef at lightning speed and tackled him to the ground holding him down with his foot as he returned to his normal form.
"Your service is very unacceptable! I will not tolerate anyone endangering my family or the guests I have brought with me today. Consider your restaurant on my blacklist and I will filing for your establishment to be permanently closed!" Declared the Prince as his family and friends watched him with admiration and a touch of envy.
"You can't do that to me!?" Shouted the Octopus but Stolas went back to his full form and screeched menacingly down at the Chef making his hair fall short and his eyes looked to be watery from the fear of the Prince.
Stolas returned back again taking out his wallet and put all the money that was owed on the bill down on the chef. He was upset but he would not leave without paying. The server imp that attended to him and those with him shook nervously when the Prince was about to pass him as he was the only one left in the restaurant who didn't flee when his boss went on a rampage but, Stolas smiled kindly taking out a lot cash and gave it to the grateful imp as it was the best tip in his life.
Once Stolas returned to the table he gestured to everyone with a finger. "Come everyone let us leave now." Everyone immediately slipped out the booth and followed, Stolas back to the limo while, Loona was grinning over the videos she took. All that happened would be the next viral hits for certain leaving, Stella alone with, Mammon and the last few patrons remaining while the Chef only began to cry out as his business is ruined.
Stella glared up at Mammon, but he only laughed loving how that cute angry look brought out the red in her eyes. "Hey babe! Cheer up! We had dinner and a show!" He chuckled but Stella only put a hand on her face and rubbed it in frustration.
"This is by far the worst date of my life!" She groaned feeling just as humiliated as the time she discovered her ex-husband was cheating on her with an imp in their own bed!