Music blared as Vortex watched hellhounds and imps alike party, smiling to himself as he mingled about the crowd. His girlfriend was busy making sure everyone was enjoying themselves, always priding herself on the fact that her parties were among the best to go to. Just like her, he was quite the life of the party, there wasn't really anyone who disliked him, at least not here. As he moved outside to check on and talk to other party goers he saw a van pull up with a stylized pentagram in the shape of a hellhound head and a gun on either bottom corner of it pull up.
Vortex smiled as he saw a crimson and gunmetal gray hellhound about his height, if not about half a head shorter, get out of the van. The most striking thing about the hellhound was not his rather muscular physique, nor the serrated mohawk or fur along the underside of his lower arms, but his heterochromic purple and red sclera. That, and the small fang-like scares on either side of his maw and the one big one that went down from the left side of the forehead, down across the eye to his jaw, and also from the far end below his left eye, across his nose and to just a bit under his right eye. He was also wearing a shirt with the same symbol and a coat to go along with it
"Carnavont my man, glad you could make it." he greeted, going up to clasp the other hound's hand.
"Good to see you too Vortex." Carnavont replied with a friendly smile. "I almost didn't have the time to come."
"Oh really?" Vortex asked with a slight grin. "Business must be booming then or are you still trying to do that advocacy thing?"
Carnavont shrugged a bit. "A bit of both."
"Hellhounds don't have it that bad, man." Vortex commented.
"Excuse me?" Carnavont more said than asked. "Where have you been? We're literally the lowest on the totem poll, if not lower than imps." He argued.
Vortex rubbed the back of his head. "Yeah, but just look at what you and me have still managed to accomplish. I'm a bodyguard for Verosi-" Vortex paused as Carnavont narrowed his eyes. "A famous singer, get to see the sites, and you got a business"
"Agree to disagree." Carnavont remarked "You might be fine ignoring being looked down on, but I'm not."
Vortex blinked as he looked at Carnavont, hand still on the back of his head. "Come on man, I'm not saying you don't have a point. All I'm saying is that it's not like the heads of Hell would even listen anyway."
"Sorry." Carnavont said before sighing. "I know it's a long shot, but I have to try, it's better than just doing nothing and waiting for a pipe dream like everyone else."
"It's alright man, just trying to look after you is all." Vortex smiled ever so slightly. "I just don't want to see you getting in trouble and losing it all. The fact your business is doing so well is amazing, and that you somehow hound backing for it in the first place is something you can take pride in. All I'm saying is, maybe try not to ruffle feathers too badly alright?"
"Point taken; I'll try not to push things too much." Carnavont relented a bit.
Vortex smiled. "That's all I ask man."
Carnavont suddenly blinked. "Wait, did you just make a pun?"
Vortex smirked. "Was wondering how long it'd take for you to catch that."
"...I'm really tempted to punch you for that." Carnavont muttered.
Vortex let out a laugh. "Anyway, enough about political and social bullshit. The most important thing you gotta answer is…your ass still single?"
"More or less, work's kept me busy." Carnavont replied. "Plus...I dunno, just haven't had luck or found the right one."
The other hellhound laughed. "Seriously?" He chuckled. You still haven't found a girl? How bad at this can you be?" Vortex teased.
Carnavont shot Vortex a look. "Hey, It's not I'm bad at it." He muttered. "I just..haven't been able to find a girl I'd actually want to date, OK?"
"Sounds more like you're too picky." Vortex smirked.
Carnavont narrowed his eyes. "I'm not too picky."
Vortex smiled. "Suuuure you're not." He teased. "But Who knows, maybe you'll finally meet a girl you like here."
Carnavont shrugged a bit. "I'm only here to hang out..."
Vortex arched a brow, crossing his arms as he leaned in towards the other hellhound. "Are you sure?"
Carnavont blinked as he leaned back ever so slightly from Vortex's scrutinous look, only to sigh after a moment. "OK, so maybe it would be a nice bonus." He admitted as he rubbed the back of his head.
Vortex laughed as he lightly smacked Carnavont on the back. "That's more like it! Anyway, you still play the guitar? Got it with you?" He inquired.
"Yeah, it's in the van, why do you ask?" Carnavont asked.
"Well, if you happen to have a CD of some of your songs that you can play and sing to I just thought you could provide some live entertainment. I mean sure we got music already, but I just thought something live would be cool." Vortex explained.
"You sure your girlfriend won't mind?" Carnavont inquired. "I mean I'm good, but not great."
"Come on man, I've heard you play before." Vortex encouraged. "I still for the life of me will never understand why you didn't try to make a career out of that."
"Ask Verosika next time you're body guarding for her." Carnavont remarked. "By the way, your boss is a bitch."
"Kind of a sore spot eh?" Vortex chuckled.
"Just a bit, but she's still kind of a bitch regardless." Carnavont admitted. "But if I'm being honest, I'm having a lot of fun being paid to off whoever."
The other hellhound grinned. "And that's what's important, doing what you're not only good at, but love doing."
Carnavont let out a slight chuckle. "Ain't that the truth. Anyway, I'll get my guitar and mingle a bit, don't wanna keep you from your girlfriend."
"Ah she's fine." Vortex said with a dismissive wave. "You know her, always the social one."
"Heh, you two are the perfect match it seems." Carnavont smirked.
"Vortex smiled rather broadly. "Thanks man, she really is something."
"You think she might be the one?" Carnavont asked.
Vortex slightly shrugged his shoulders. "Maybe, still a bit too soon to know for sure though. But enough about my love life, you need to get out there and start mingling."
"Yeah, Yeah. Again, you sure she'd be cool with me playin a little? Last thing I need is for her to get pissed because I started playing and people started having more fun. But then again, that'd be your ass, not mine." Carnavont chuckled
Vortex laughed. "Nah man, I'm sure she'd appreciate it. It's not every day you get alive performance at a party. Just kinda wish you invited your band mates; you still stay in touch with them right?"
"I do." Carnavont replied. "And we get together to play side gigs and such, but the killing business is my main focus for now. Plus, I didn't think you'd ambush me to play for you."
"Well I wasn't sure you'd show." Vortex admitted. "You don't have to, just thought it'd be nice to hear you play is all."
The crimson hellhound shrugged. "Fair enough. Anyway, I'll catch ya later."
Vortex smiled. "Have fun man."
As Vortex left to mingle and check in on others guests Carnavont made his way through the party, making note of any particularly interesting guests he might like to talk to. He made his way through talking to an imp about music and various other things for a bit before making his way to get some drinks. So far he hadn't seen anyone of any real interest that really caught his eye, not that that was the sole purpose of him coming to the party. He came here to have fun and unwind a bit from work, and because Vortex had invited him.
Carnavont downed a few drinks, scanning the crowd as he did so. He spotted Vortex off with his girlfriend, the two dancing and having a good time before once more moving to talk to guests. The hellhound smiled a bit before going back to looking about the party. There were some interesting looking goetias, even a hellhound or two, what harm could there be in just talking to them a little? Carnavont let out a slight sigh, downing his drink before making his way to one of the goetias, a raven like one.
They talked for a bit, and she was rather attractive, but ultimately when he started to show a bit of interest in her she politely turned him down. It wasn't a big deal; he had been turned down before and was used to it. He just decided to move on and mingle before trying again, not wanting his whole time at the party being about trying to pick up a girl. Besides, he wasn't too fused about it, if it happened it happened.
He continued to talk with other party goers, enjoying the music as he downed another drink before deciding to go get his electric guitar from the van. Returning with it in hand he met up with Vortex and his girlfriend, making sure that she was cool with him playing for the party before doing so. It wasn't that he didn't trust Vortex's word of her being OK with it, he just wanted to make absolutely sure that she'd be alright with it since it was her party. Just like Vortex had said, she was indeed more than happy for him to do so, having been told by Vortex that he was quite good.
Carnavont made his way to the main area of the party, setting up his amp and plugging his guitar in and putting in a demo CD that didn't have any lyrics before starting to play. When he started to play the other partygoers began to cheer, getting into it as he sang one of the songs his band had made. Carnavont smiled as he watched the other guests enjoy the performance, it brought him back to before he started his business. But while being in a band was fun, managing to amuse a powerful demon enough to back his business idea was just something he couldn't turn down.
At least his band mates understood and supported him doing so. Besides, it wasn't really like they were getting any real gigs or big deals, Verosika and other more popular bands saw to that. But a part of him couldn't help but feel that him trying to get hellhounds have a better position in hell wasn't part of the reason why. Regardless of whether it was or not, it wasn't going to deter him in the least. He had seen just how bad hellhounds could have it, experienced it, he was not about to do nothing about it.
His mind went back to focusing on the other party goers and his performance, really getting into it as the other guests cheered and danced to his music. As he played, he happened to spot a white and gray female hellhound in a red dress and spiked choker with eyebrow piercing talking to Vortex and others. She seemed to be having fun, though it was a bit hard to tell. She danced a bit to the music before heading to get some drinks. After he went through a few more songs, Carnavont headed over to Vortex, curious as to who the girl was. "Hey man, who was that you were talking to?" he asked, trying not to look too interested.
Vortex grinned a bit, "Loona? Met her while working, Adopted daughter of my bosses' ex. That was an interesting day, they had this weird see who kills the most people for a parking spot thing going on, not to mention my boss caused a pretty big drunken free for all for her flask after throwing it into the crowd and people started tasting what was in it..."
"Beelzejuice?" Carnavont asked.
"Beelzejuice." Vortex confirmed.
"Boy, I bet that didn't end too well for her." Carnavont said with a satisfied grin.
"Eh, not really, but not as bad as you might think." Vortex explained.
Carnavont's expression soured a bit, "Of fucking coarse..." He muttered.
"Anyway, I take it Loona caught you eye eh?" Vortex asked with a sly grin.
Carnavont tried to not look awkward about his interest in the female hellhound. "Maybe..."
An ever so slightly wry smile formed on Vortex. "I could introduce you if you like, she's a cool girl, if a bit awkward...at least she was around me until she found out I had a girlfriend."
"Can't help attracting the ladies can ya?" Carnavont teased a bit as he smirked.
"Hey, I can't help it if I got what the ladies like." Vortex chuckled. "Besides, you know I'm not about to cheat on my girl. Anyway, you want me to introduce you or not?"
"I think I can manage." Carnavont assured as he gathered his confidence.
"Yeah, I'm sure you can. But you might want to act quick, I think she might be leaving." Vortex commented as he pointed towards the entrance.
Carnavont blinked as he looked to see Loona heading towards a van with an imp at the driver's seat, another hellhound wearing a purple jacket seemed to be heading over to talk to her as well. "Shit..." he muttered.
"Don't worry, I got you. Just make sure this one works out OK?" Vortex said as he started heading over to the other hellhound.
"I owe you one." Carnavont said as he and Vortex started to move.
"Yeah, you do. "Vortex grinned as he ran to intercept the other hellhound, telling him that a really hot girl was looking for him.
Carnavont wasted no time heading over to the Van Loona got in, making it just before they left. "Hey there." he said as he offered Loona a warm smile as she looked at him. "A woman as stunning as you is leaving? If you leave, then the most beautiful sight here is gone without me getting to know her."
Blitz snarled slightly, ignoring his adopted daughter's wagging tail. "Watch it..." he snarled protectively.
"I mean...we could stay a bit longer." Loona said to Blitz before Carnavont could say anything to the imp.
"Well I think we need to go Okay, it's been a long night." The imp said, clearly not in the best of moods.
"Well the people here seemed to know you. Come on, I think I want to give this another try, please?" She asked sweetly, wagging her tail as she looked at Blitz, something that Carnavont found to be rather adorable.
Blitz sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose, "OK fine, maybe we can stay a bit longer, have one drink. But I'm watching you." he said as he shot Carnavont a glare.
"Thanks Da-...Blitz!" Loona said as she beamed before looking at Carnavont with a bit of an awkward smile as she and Blitz got out of the van. "I'm Loona..." She said as she brushed some of her hair to the side.
The crimson hellhound chuckled a bit. "Carnavont, pleasure to meet you."
"Carnavont...that's cool…." She replied with a rather awkward grin. Yeah, Carnavont could see what Vortex was talking about, it just made her cuter really.
"It's a fucking dumb name." Blitz snidely commented.
Carnavont shrugged. "It's similar to carnage, which is what I bring."
Loona awkwardly grinned more. "That's hot… I mean like...shit...not like shit I mean...fuck." she stammered, much to Blitz's annoyance and Carnavont's amusement.
"Do your friends call you Carnie? You know, like a circus clown?" Blitz mocked.
Carnavont simply ignored the insult, focusing more on Loona. "Heh, it's alright, wanna get those drinks?" He asked.
"Sure." Loona said somewhat eagerly.
"Whatever…" Blitz muttered, not really in the mood for dealing with another instance of keeping Loona away from a boy. He had already been through a lot that night and the LAST thing he needed was for his daughter to be gaga over some random guy...again. But, she did seem to be finally in a somewhat good mood and he didn't want to take that from her...yet.
The three made their way over to the bar, each getting a drink as Loona kept somewhat close to the male hellhound, much to Blitz's annoyance. The fact that this seemed to be a complete repeat of what happened when trying to outdo Verosika just pissed him off even more. At least this time there wasn't going to be a big angry mob of drunk people beating the shit out of each other...he hoped.
"So...Carnavont…you a musician? I saw you playing earlier...you were good." Loona asked as she looked at him, trying to be as cool as possible.
"Eh, sorta. I was in a band for a bit, but that was a while ago. I still keep in touch with my old band and we perform every now and then. My real job is killing people." Carnavont explained.
"Really?" Loona asked in slight surprise.
"Sounds like he's a psycho." Blitz scoffed before downing a drink.
"I actually run my own assassination business." The crimson hellhound clarified.
"...Seriously? "Loona blinked.
"Yup. What about you?" Carnavont asked as he gave Loona a smile.
Loona blushed slightly in embarrassment. "I...uh…"
"She's an important member of MY assassination business." Blitzo interrupted as he poked Carnavont's chest. "You might have heard of us, the immediate murder professionals?" He added, trying to make himself seem bigger and more important.
"IMP...cute." Carnavont commented as he glanced at Blitzo.
Blitzo narrowed his eyes as he looked at Carnavont indignantly. "Oh yeah tough guy, what's yours called?"
"The hellhound organization for untimely and necessary deaths, or hound for short."Carnavont stated.
Blitz blinked a bit in slight shock. "...Shit, that's actually a good name..."
"And professional sounding." Carnavont added.
"Watch it asshole." Blitzo growled.
Carnavont put his hands up slightly. "Hey, no offense man, just saying immediate murder professionals, while kinda clever if you're working with the name of your species, doesn't exactly scream "We're serious about our work"."
Blitz narrowed his eyes. "Hey, it took a lot to get my business going and we do a damn good job."
"I'm sure you do; I'm just saying maybe Immanent Murder Procurers might have been a bit better." Carnavont suggested.
"...Fuck you." Blitz countered.
"Just saying." Carnavont remarked as he shrugged.
"Whatever...So, who's dick did you suck to get to run a business anyway?" Blitz asked.
"No ones." Carnavont said simply, though he wasn't all that amused by the insinuation. "I just happened to amuse the right demon enough to let them back me."
"What, did they make you do a little circus performance Carnie?" Blitzo prodded.
"Hardly."Carnavont said with a deadpan look. "they found my wanting to improve the standing of hellhounds in hell as, well, novel. That, and he liked my musical talent and ability to kill."
"Well, aren't you just fucking great." Blitz muttered.
"What do you mean improve our standing?" Loona asked.
"I know we don't have it terrible, hell I'll admit imps have it arguably worse in some areas." Carnavont said as he tried to establish some kind of common ground. "But I've seen firsthand the hell we hounds can be put through, how limited our opportunities are. But if I could just convince or show that we deserve more, then maybe we could be more than just servants, products to be bought for businesses or the elite. That we could have it better...get to choose what we do." He said before waving a dismissive hand, "But I'm sure you think that's just a stupid, foolish hope."
"You're fucking right it's stupid. But at least you realize imps have it just as bad." Blitz muttered, "But this is hell, you need to realize that's just a pipe dream dipshit." he added, though his words felt more dismayed than angered.
"I...don't think it's stupid." Loona said as she tried to fight a blush. "Infact, it's kinda cool, you're fighting the system any way you can, like a rebel." she smiled. "It might be near impossible but look at you, I haven't really seen any of our kind that owned a business. Well, that wasn't security detail."
Carnavot smiled a bit. "Thanks. Say, Loona, do you think you might wanna-"
"Oh HELL FUCKING NO!" Blitz interrupted as he brought his gun up to Carnavont's face. "No body's dating my little Loonie!"
"BLITZ!" Loona exclaimed. "You're so fucking embarrassing!"
Carnavont just grinned as he pulled out his hell made eagle 50 AE and 500 Smith and Wessen magnum, both of which had 10-inch barrels. "Nice gun, but mine are better." he said in a more teasingly playful than threatening tone, holding them with his fingers away from the triggers.
"Compensating for something big guy? Must have a real small dick." Blitz mocked.
Carnavont grinned widely. "Nah, I just like how they look and feel. As much as I like a good brawl, I'm not about to fight you or ruin this party. I appreciate you taking in a hellhound as your daughter, but I think you should let her live her life and choose for herself...little man."
Blitzo started to fume. "Why you-"
"DAD!" Loona yelled.
Blitz looked at Carnavont a moment, finger near the trigger as he narrowed his eyes before sighing. "Fucking fine, whatever. Just know this, I don't like you, AND I WILL fucking kill you, so watch yourself Carnie. I need another fucking drink." he muttered before putting his gun away, downing a few drinks before grabbing two more random ones and walking off as he flipped Carnavont off, to which the hellhound reciprocated.
Loona let out a sigh, pinching between her eyes before looking at Carnavont. "Sorry about that, he can be..."
"An overprotective ass?" Carnavont asked as he put his guns away.
"Yeah." Loona muttered.
Carnavont smiled a bit, even if he didn't like the imp. "Well, I can give him points for caring about you. I never really got that myself. Doesn't mean I like him though."
"At least you two have something in common." Loona said as she folded her arms.
"Yeah, and I hate it." Carnavont retorted with clear dislike about the fact.
Loona chuckled slightly. "So, what were you going to ask?"
"Oh, right," Carnavont said as his expression became brighter if a bit awkward. "I was going to ask if you might...you know, want to go out sometime? If you'd like to of course, no pressure."
Loona lit up a bit, "YES!" she exclaimed before immediately trying to compose herself and play it off. "I mean yeah, sure, cool...if you'd want to of course."
"I'm asking aren't I?" Carnavont grinned.
"Right, you are, that you are..." Loona smiled awkwardly.
"Uh...don't look now, but I think your dad's hitting on another imp. Looks drunk too..." Carnavont pointed out.
"Oh Satan dammit." Loona muttered, "I gotta go and take care of him, take him home, see you around?" Loona asked.
"Of course, my Card." Carnavont said with a smile as he handed her his business card. "Hope to hear from ya."
"Yeah, sure, definitely!" Loona said awkwardly. "Anyway...better go before he does anything...bye!" she smiled at him before rushing off to take care of Blitz, punching the taller imp in the face before slinging Blitz over her shoulder and grumpily walking out of the party.
Carnavont chuckled to himself as he watched, amused by the whole thing. He was definitely glad he came to the party now and made a note to thank Vortex for helping him out. One thing was definitely for sure, things were going to get interesting now, especially after meeting his business rival. Ultimately though, he was feeling quite hopeful for the future and the competition between their businesses.