Edwin knew what tournaments were SUPPOSED to look like.

Unless you were at some major one, the finals, where there was actually a budget because of sponsorship deals then for the most part it would take place in some large open area with a ton of folding tables and cheap plastic chairs. Maybe the chairs would have cushions. Players, be they Yugioh or Pokemon or Magic or what have you, would sign in and then begin dueling people and if you won you got to duel more people and if you lost you got to duel more people and eventually you either stuck around or you went to get something to eat. And a day or two later you would be sick with the Tourney Flu. That was the way things were.

But… in the world of Yu-Gi-Oh! that he had found himself in tournaments took place on islands or consumed entire cities. There were thrilling stakes that would force someone to risk it all in order to win. And the people you took on were some of the most strange and colorful beings you could even hope to face.

'Why am I not surprised Hell is the same way?' he thought to himself as he entered into the massive ballroom that was serving host for the Hellfire Gala, the Hellish Version of Duel Monster's first official tournament.

Cecelia had decided to hold the tournament in a massive hall that reminded Edwin of where they held the Oscars every year. The entire interior was dripping with tans, browns, and golds, doing nothing to try and look subtle. There were massive chandlers that hung high above them and a large orchestra was, as he entered, playing soft music to fill the air. There were tables set up just like at a tournament he'd attend but they all had plate settings and fine glassware laid out, for the invitation to compete had also promised a meal. A large one with multiple courses, so that one could wine and dine while watching multiple duels happening at once.

'Which we should get, considering how much it cost to get in,' Edwin thought darkly. He could have afforded to eat for a year with what it was costing him to get himself and Aria into the tournament. Charlie was covering much of the staff while Edwin had quietly forced Valentino to cover Angel, though considering he hadn't see the spider demon he wondered if Angel had, in a fit of rebellion, decided not to show up just to waste Val's money.

Nothing about the Hellfire Gala was subtle. No, the name of the game was opulence that day, which explained why many of those attending had gotten dressed up. Edwin himself was glad he'd gone with a suit made by a rival of Rosie's named Jean Luc; he didn't ask WHAT he had done to end up in Hell as he knew if he did know he'd probably kill him but there was no way that Edwin was going to go to Rosie. Even ignoring the fact that she was a cannibal she was far too friendly with Alastor and he wasn't going to risk her whispering secrets back to the Radio Demon. So he'd gone to Jean Luc who had taken his suit that he'd been wearing upon entering Hell and made something similar but… different. A long dark blue coat that was nearly black in certain lights that reached to his knees. Fine shoes with secret angelic steel toes. A white vest and dark shirt underneath with cufflinks that resembled his Millennium Eyes. And of course Jackie resting on his shoulders like a big furry collar. He had been told that the clothing would adjust with his changes in size; he knew Aria didn't think he realized it but Edwin had seen that he was slowly getting larger as his power increased. Not just in his full demon form but is standard Sinner form. Gleipnir was on full display but he wasn't too worried about that.

For it wasn't just him who had made sure to dress up for the event. Everyone was decked out and that included his own party. Charlie had gone with a vaguely English style tuxedo dress; the top of her outfit was a crimson tux but the bottom was a long red dress. Vaggie was wearing a dress as well that she'd worked hard to ensure wasn't sexual at all but that still made her look sexy as fuck. Husk had broken out his own tux, looking a bit sad when he'd first come down and gotten a ton of compliments before muttering his thanks. Sir Pentious was dressed in a dress uniform with commodore hat, medals pinned to his chest. Aria, who had protested greatly but finally given in, was wearing a dress shirt, suit pants, and a black vest that made her look a bit like an English butler.

Others were dressed up too. In suits and tuxes and ball gowns and the like. All milling about, grabbing drinks and chatting away… and each holding a deck of some kind.

"Oh, this looks so amazing!" Charlie said with a grin, bouncing up and down while they waited to be shown to their table. "This is going to be such an amazing day."

"I don't know… this many snobby demons all gathered under the same roof?" Vaggie shook her head. "I don't like it, just asking for trouble."
"This is Hell," Husk pointed out. "We are always in for trouble."

"This way, Miss Morningstar," the usher said. "You and Mr. Cererbus have been given a booth near the main stage."

"Ooooh, fancy!" Niftty said, reminding them all she was also part of the group.

"Uh, Charlie?" Vaggie said suddenly. "Who is watching the hotel if we are all here?"

But Edwin chose that moment to speak up. "Oh, I have it covered."

~MC~MC~MC~

"Man, we are going to get so much loot," the one robber said as he approached the hotel. When word had reached them that Hazbin Hotel was to be emptied, with even the mighty Alastor off to attend the Hellfire Gala, it had been far too good for the robbers to pass up. It was widely believed that the Princess of Hell, while honest about her hotel and its stupid, stupid goals, was actually also using it as a storage place for all sorts of wealth. Indeed, the fact that Alastor the Radio Demon, Edwin Cerberus, and even the former Overlord Husk stayed there was proof in many eyes that there were treasures to be had. "We'll find that jeweler's vault and get us some Millennium Eyes. They grab some gold and gems…"

"I want some of the Princess' panties," his partner stated as they hurried past a line of demons.

That caused the first to turn and stare at his companion. "…don't make this weird, Bert." He shook his head and began to finger the crowbar he was holding. "Yes… yes this will be such a score-"

"Hey!" someone shouted, causing the two to turn and see that the speaker was one of the demons in the line. "No fucking cuts!"

"I'm… what?" the first burglar, Swishy, said in confusion.

"No fucking cuts!" the demon, who looked like he was made of bricks and had several wine bottles driven through his forehead so that as he spoke spirits dribbled down his cheeks, snapped in annoyance. "Wait your fucking turn!"

"Uh… don't worry," Swishy said, "we're just passing through. You know, off to deal with some very, er, important things-"

"You want to rob Hazbin Hotel, right?"

That made Bert and Swishy start in shock.

"You think you're the first to think of that?' the brick demon said, those around him bursting into such laughter that it made the two thieves blush and feel terribly awkward, like silly little boys who had been caught playing some nonsense game. "Get in the fucking line already! When its your turn you can give it a go!"

"Give… it a go?" Swishy said slowly.

Another demon, this one a sleek looking cat-like demon, let out a drawn out sigh. "Oh? You really didn't see the signs?" she reached up and itched under the chin of an imp sitting on her shoulder. "So silly." She gestured at a sign hanging across the entire street, which the two had missed. It had a massive picture of Edwin Cerberus with the biggest shit eating grin, gesturing at the following words:

'Want to rob the Princess of Hell? Now is your chance! Take a crack at Hazbin Hotel! Get through all the traps and the prize is yours to take! Only $39.99 per person, plus tax. Ask about our Gang Discount.'

Swishy and Bert looked at the other thieves, who they realized were armed with far more than crowbars and hammers, and sighed.

"I… suppose we could give it a try?" Bert suggested. "Maybe they loosen it up for us?"

Swishy nodded and moved towards the back of the line.

~MC~MC~MC~

"What's really great," Edwin said to Vaggie, "is that even if someone does get all the way through the 'prize' is a refund of their entrance fee." He rubbed his hands together in delight; he had used quite a few deals to force those currently running his little 'game' to make sure everything was ready.

Vaggie just stared at him slowly before shrugging. "Honestly I don't want to know and I don't care."

Edwin deflated a little at that and Aria patted him on the back as the others moved towards their table. "Its okay, I'm sure someone will want to hear about your schemes."

"Thanks Aria-"

"I say," a snooty voice suddenly spoke up and Edwin felt his hackles rise, "does anyone else smell wet dog?"

Edwin, at once, held out his hand and flames began to burn upon his palm. "No but I smell barbeque…" he snarled, eyes flashing as his blue hair began to grow shaggier as his body moved to shift into his full demon form. The snob that had dared to insult Aria, a gilded elf-like demon, stared at Edwin in shock, his monocle nearly popping off.

"You wouldn't dare try and strike me! I am Lord Victor Odenbach the Third!"

"And I'm Emperor McFuckYoFace," Edwin snarled.

"Now now… none of that," a new voice said and Edwin raised an eyebrow when he saw it was Carmilla Carmine who had decided to intervene, her two daughters just behind her. "No need to make a big fuss, Mr. Cerberus."

"You would be wise to listen to her," Lord Victor said.

"After all," Carmilla continued, "it makes this rabble think that they at your level." Lord Victor sputtered at that, his face creating another monocle only for that one to pop off as well. "Come now, Victor, you've been in Hell for over 200 years and you haven't even gotten close to the level of Overlord… that is just shameful. Meanwhile from what I've seen our dear artist friend here is very likely to be moving up to such ranks, assuming that he manages to maintain his level of devotion amongst his fans." She looked over at Aria. "As for his choice of company you would be well to remember that the Hellborn have lived here FAR longer than us… and you never know what alliances they hold. That's why I never look down on any of them. But then again…" Her lips twitched into a slight smile, "I am an Overlord."

With that Lord Victor sputtered one more time before stalking off, leaving a trail of monocles behind him like breadcrumbs.

"Thanks for the assist," Edwin stated. "Not sure how they'd have reacted if I set off the sprinkler system." He lowered his hand and adjusted his coat… even as he mentally commanded a Kul Elna Thief to keep an eye on Lord Victor and find out what they could on him. Edwin would force a deal on him within a week.

"According to Cecelia she is making it very clear there is to be no violence here today. She wants this tournament to only have battles involving cards. Why she invited Lucifer himself to attend."

"Makes sense. Good deduction."

"It isn't a deduction," the weapon-maker stated. "It's a fact. She told me all of this herself."

"You've talked with her," Edwin said as a waiter came by, offering drinks. "God, I'm going to get mocked for this but anything non-alcoholic?" The waiter gave him a long cool look. "You can just say no."

"My daughters want non-alcoholic drinks," Carmilla stated and the waiter's entire attitude changed; he hurried off to get the glasses. "And yes, I did. She asked for my advice on who to hire to make sure everyone remained peaceful. Of course that wasn't the reason I went to seek her out."

"And what was?" Edwin asked.

"Simply put? I like to keep my eye on those rising in power. I… made that mistake once, not noticing who was growing in strength, and I don't plan to make it again." Edwin hid his frown at that and sent another mental note to find out just who Carmilla was talking about. "Cecelia Pegasus is making deals, gaining souls, and cementing herself as a fixture in Hell. Unless Duel Monsters fails, and I doubt that very much considering how it is growing on earth and soon we will only have more people interested in playing, she will be able to form quite a powerful base." She lifted up the glass of champagne she had been drinking and took a sip. "She will be an Overlord and very soon."

"An impressive rise."

"Not as impressive as yours."

Edwin remained silent.

"Good, you aren't trying to deny it. I suppose you think silence is your weapon but I assure you it is not. I know you are already an Overlord, Edwin Cerberus… what I am curious about is why you are not declaring it to all."

"How did you come to that conclusion?"

Carmilla glanced at him without turning her head, so it appeared as if the two of them were merely standing next to each other and not engaged in conversation. "When I realized my daughters had stolen from me to pay for those Millennium Eyes of yours I decided to look into you." The girls let out gasps of surprise but their mother shook her head. "I knew. A mother always knows. Now… leave us."

"Aria, I'll be okay. Go to Charlie."

Aria licked her lips but nodded, hurrying over to the table and the extra large chair that had been secured for her. The waiter returned with some sparkling grapejuice that Edwin selected, Carmilla directing him to her own private booth near Charlie's. It was only when he was gone that Carmilla began to speak, her voice very low.

"There are many that crave Angelic Steel. That know what it can do. It is how I have been able to rise up amongst the ranks of the Overlords to a position of respect. It is why certain… up and comers… like to come at me but don't do anything more than send out verbal jabs. My weapons make me powerful and anyone with one of my weapons has a bit of that power. So when I found out my silly little girls had traded that Steel to you for their jewelry I decided to see what you would do with it.

"Often times, when some youthful thing gains hold of a gun or a sword or the like they boast about it and brag about it and that leads them to dying rather quickly. They think they are invincible but forget that the weapon only works if you are always aiming it." She took a sip of her drink and Edwin mimicked her. "But you, Edwin Cerberus, didn't do that. Instead you remained quiet about your Angelic Steel. I wager you have at least one piece on you right now but you aren't flaunting it like others." Her eyes began to glance about the room, clearly spotting people who had one of her weapons visible; Edwin didn't notice as he was leaving the watching of such things to the Thieves. "So… you were quiet and humble and that made everyone else ignore you… everyone but me.

"I became more intrigued and that's when I began to see that you were working rather hard to make your deals. Cutting agreements with demons, building your power base. And the more I watched the more I realized that your power was growing. The younger Overlords can't do it easily but those of us who have been here long enough know how to detect power… and we detected yours." She glanced at him again. "Do you deny it?"

"…no," Edwin said softly. "I am an Overlord."

"Faster than Alastor," she muttered and he got the sense she was impressed. "Yet far more quiet about it. Which makes some of us very nervous. We don't like it when people aren't behaving how we expect. So tell me Edwin… why haven't you declared to the world you are amongst our rank?"

Edwin considered his words carefully. "There is a show on Earth… you probably don't know it but it concerns a man of great power. He is someone I've come to respect. He once said, "I became too big… to noisy. Time to step back into the shadows". Do you know what happens when you roar to the world, "Look at me"? They. Look. At. You. And once the eyes of the world are on you they will never stop looking at you. You will never know peace. Everything becomes far harder. I once read of a great artist who warned his friends, who were still trying to establish themselves, that they must enjoy the climb because when you reach the top you know all you can do is fight to remain there or come crashing down. There is nothing left to strive for.

"Everyone in Hell is consumed with being on top and that is fine… not going to argue that there are perks to the wealth. Makes walking down the street far easier. Honestly, I don't get how the wails of the horrified aren't louder in this fucking place. You'd think so, as it slowly dawned on people that they are going to have to, for the most part, always look over their shoulder and perhaps might end up as a slave to some twisted fucked up monster." He paused. "Present company possibly excluded."

Carmilla merely nodded. "The wails were apparently a lot worse, from what I hear, but nowadays everyone is so jaded when they end up here…"

"But," Edwin continued on. "While power is nice it also brings headaches. You are constantly watched… when is the last time you were able to just go for a walk and not have to dress up to the nines?" He gestured at her outfit, tight fitting and allowing her to fight but utterly glamorous. "You have to think about every piece of clothing you wear, how your hair is styled. Worry that a single drop of mud might make you a laughing stock. If you stumble people will think you weak, if you walk too fast something is wrong, too slow and you are being lazy and ripe to be destroyed. Everything suddenly becomes a weakness so you can't enjoy anything." He scanned the crowd. "Does it not kill you that you can't have a simple day with your daughters, having fun? That if you show that you love them too much someone will seek them out as a weapon to destroy you? Doesn't that eat away at you?"

"…yes," Carmilla whispered. "But I am willing to sacrifice that if it keeps them safe."
"For now," Edwin commented. "It is the most delicate of balancing acts. I personally want to avoid that dance for as long as possible. I don't need more fame then I already have… I'm happy to be just the jeweler that everyone wants to talk to."

"But you will eventually be revealed," Carmilla said. "It will happen."

"Yes."

"And what is it you want, Edwin Cerberus? What exactly will be your driving purpose with all this power that you hold?"

"That… is a tricky question, isn't it?" Edwin asked, teasing out the words carefully. "I have no taste for revenge… the person that killed me is on Earth and I have no idea when she will end up here. And honestly ending up here will be torture for her. She's a religious zealot, believes the Egyptian Gods ordained her to carry out their will."

That made Carmilla raise an eyebrow. "Don't… get a lot of that down here."

"Its new up there too, I admit," Edwin said. "Power? What else will I be able to obtain after overlord? The Ars Goetia and the Princes will always be above my head so Overlord is the final prize and I already have that. The love of the people? Fame is overrated, believe me I know."

And with that he turned and merely dipped his head, refusing to answer her question. "I should get to my seat. Thank you for the conversation Carmilla."
She narrowed her eyes, not pleased that he hadn't explained what he would do, especially with the Angelic Steel he had gathered, but also knowing that now wasn't the time to press him. "Good luck in the tournament."

Edwin wished her the same and moved to join his friends only to get intercepted once more.

"You know… I really do have you to thank for all of this," Cecelia Pegasus said as she moved to walk with Edwin.

"That mean you are going to give me a cut of the profits?" he asked, which caused her to chuckle. "Thought not. What can I do for you, Cecelia?"

"Just wanted to check in with you, Edwin… I wish we had been able to talk more, after our first meeting. There is a lot I wish to know about what has been happening on Earth and what I might expect to come dripping down into Hell. After all… what ends for them is just the beginning for us."
Edwin considered that before frowning. "Fuck, the Rare Hunters." He glanced at Cecelia. "So Duel Monsters attracted a lot of shit people, you should have realized that by now."

"Yes, Greta and I have been trying to ferret out the liars and the cheats and the like. As humorous as it might seem we do what to try and have the tournament be as profession and legit as possible."

"All depends on if demons subscribe to the same 'Duelist Honor' 99% of people on Earth have," Edwin stated. "I ran into a lot of different duelists up on Earth and for the most part even the villains didn't like to truly cheat. Or if they did it was just one brand of cheating and they thought their brand was okay." He began to chuckle.

"What?"

Edwin shook his head. "So my girlfriend, Mai? After Pegasus and Seto's own… unique ways of dueling… and Weevil being underhanded and a little bitch boy-"
"I don't know who this Weevil is but he sounds pathetic," Cecelia stated.

"-Mai was the next duelist we ran into and she actually cheated-cheated. Doused her cards in different perfumes so she could smell what she was going to draw next."

~MC~MC~MC~

Selene suddenly looked up, a scowl on her face.

"What is it?" Tea asked as the two hid in the shadows around Ishizu's home, hoping that the foolish woman would emerge so they might begin their torment of her. Selene had been sitting on the ground while Tea, too full of energy at the idea that the woman that had taken her brother from her was so close, had been pacing and thinking about other things.

Important things.

'Why do I now hate shoes?' She looked down at her bare toes and wiggled them in the rapidly cooling sands of the desert. 'I get everything else that has changed about me. The silver hair, the stronger body, the desire to change my appearance-' Tea had found herself, over the last few weeks and months, alter her body purely on a whim. Increasing her bust purely to see what she would look like then deflating herself to almost flat chested. Changing the way her hips swayed. Even her skin color. She particularly enjoyed the ability to change her height… Selene had taken her to deep space and revealed that her true size now was so massive that they could chomp down on asteroids like they were candy and Tea liked to shift just how tall she was purely for her amusement.

But what she didn't understand was why she suddenly hated shoes and socks.

All the Greek Gods did, apparently, according to Selene. Tea had tried to force herself to wear shoes but it always bugged her to no end and she would rip the damn things off after a half hour at most, letting out a sigh of relief once her feet were free.

It was just so-

"I just got the sense," Selene said slowly, "that Edwin was mocking me."

~MC~MC~MC~

"How are you combating potential cheats then?" Edwin asked.

Cecelia smiled. "Oh, I have a few ways. But let's just say the waiters came highly recommended from some of the casinos…"
He nodded at that though it did make him feel a pang of regret. He'd learned recently from Aria all about Husk's status as a former Overlord, one who had managed many of the casinos in Hell. He had apparently been one of the better Overlords, not looking to turn everything into a way to cause pain and misery but instead actually running it like a business. Other than a select few most of the Overlords were, in fact, businessmen nowadays but back before Alastor's purge it hadn't been as ordered. But seeing how things were now, with the casinos held by different feuding demons…

'Something to look into,' he thought to himself before focusing on Cecelia. "Well, here is hoping there isn't too much death at this tournament. Would be nice to get through one without torment and agony."

"That's the plan!" she said cheerfully before moving towards the podium at the front of the ballroom, leaving Edwin to head to the booth. It wasn't strictly speaking a 'booth', as while there was some booth seating that was only at one corner of the table. The rest of the place settings were regular chairs and the like and Edwin settled down next to Aria, picking up a menu.

"Your grace," he said, nodding to Lucifer who was reclining next to Charlie in the booth seat; Husk found himself sitting next to Lucifer purely out of process of elimination. Aria and Niftty couldn't be there due to… well, how they would react. Sir Pentious needed to be near the end of the table due to his tail and Charlie wanted Vaggie sitting next to her. Thus Husk got to sit next to the King of Hell while Edwin was directly across from him. "Are you going to be competing yourself?"

"Oh, I don't think so," Lucifer said with a wave of his hand. "I don't mind dueling, don't get me wrong. It's a thrill and all that… but I prefer collecting the cards and building the decks to actually using them. Besides, there is always the risk that everyone will throw the tournament because they don't want to get on my bad side."

"You could try and put on a disguise," Sir Pentious said before his eyes went wide with panic. "Oh! I mean-"

"no… wait… say that again," Lucifer said, causing the Sinner Demon to squirm where he was… sitting? Standing?... by the table.

"It's just…" Sir Pentious said slowly, "…if you are worried about such things you could decide to wearsome sort of outfit or the like, to hide who you are so that no one recognizes you."

"That… is… brilliant!" Lucifer declared, throwing his arms out wide. "That is just a great and amazing idea! Charlie, do you have your emergency costume bag in the limo?"

"No dad," she said, deadpan, "I completely forgot it. Yes I do!" She beamed and the two began to chat quickly together about what Lucifer could end up wearing.

"This is feeling more and more like Duelist Kingdom," Edwin muttered to Aria.

"Oh, I'm sure its not THAT bad," Aria said.

"I am gonna win this tournament!" a man that was a cross between a gun, an eagle, and the American flag said as he walked by their table.

"Sure, Keith, sure," his companion stated.
Edwin's eye began to twitch.

~MC~MC~MC~

"Alright, just make sure you are keeping track of everything," Vox said before ending the call. "All set on my end," he told Velvette, who was staring at her smartphone, tapping away at it. "What about on your end?"

"You mean on the only thing that matters?" she snarked. "Oh, we're ready."

"Good… real good. I want all the stupid little sheep that couldn't earn an invite to this to be hooked to their phones and their TVs, desperate to see what is going on at the Gala."

The Vees were in their own booth, on the opposite side of Lucifer's and slightly further up in the room. Velvette had worried for days about what to wear before going with something sleek and lovely. A tight black dress, so form fitting that it clung stubbornly to her curves, with a few fake rips that were covered in a gauzy material so that no one could think that Valentino had gotten hungry and begun to nibble on her clothes. Long smooth boots that came up to her thighs and matching gloves. And her hair for once not done up in a ponytail of any kind but rather a large poofy style that made her look older and sophisticated. Not so old that she looked 'old'. No… older. Mature.

It had always bugged her that everyone saw her as being far younger than she actually was. She'd died when she was in her 20s, after all. But because her demonic form looked like a fucking baby doll one would find on some grandmum's couch people always assumed she was a cut little girl and not a mature woman. Oh, she could use that to her advantage, of course, making people regret EVER going up against her and underestimating her… but it was frustrating that, even now, so many in Hell thought she was merely a mascot for the Vees rather than a full time member… the backbone, even.

So, mature. Stylish. Able to amble along with the other 'adults'.

It… certainly didn't have anything to do with some of the demons she'd met recently. The fresh blood that had arrived in the Pride Ring ready to shake things up. No. Not in the slightest. Not at all.

Truly.

Vox sat down next to her and began to go over the menu, which had Velvette mildly excited because it was always entertaining to watch her fellow Vee eat. Considering his head was a TV she so did enjoy watching how he had to work ten times harder to enjoy his meals. He was dressed in his standard outfit, not bothering to get dressed up because he was 'always ready for any occasion'. Same with Valentino, much to Velvette's annoyance… she had wanted them to impress everyone and her partners were treating this as just another event. It was so FRUSTRATING!

"What?" Valentino asked, glancing over at her. "What's with that look?"

"You couldn't have picked out something a bit more…stylish?"

"There is NOTHING wrong with my style!"

Vox nodded in agreement. "I personally love it."

"Of course you would," Velvette complained, "you were around when dinosaurs roamed the Earth."

"You think there are dinosaurs somewhere in Hell?" Vox suddenly asked. "Feels weird there aren't any dinosaurs, right?"

~MC~MC~MC~

"Whose a good velocirapator?" Sera said, happily scratching under the chin of a fluffy purple dinosaur angel that was roughly the size of a chicken. "its you, its you!" Over to her left Adam was giving a Spinosaurus a belly rub while Lute was happily spraying down the angelic t-rexes after their bubble baths.

~MC~MC~MC~

Valentino reached over and patted her hand. "Come now, Velvette, no need to be concerned. It doesn't matter what we wear… what matters is that one of us wins this tournament."

"No, what matters is that we look amazing," Velvette said. "Two of us are going to be losers and we need to look good while losing so everyone forgets that. Especially if it is one of those old wrinkled fossils that are winning everything."

Vox chuckled though at that. "I'm not worried about looking good I'm worried about ratings. Of course, by that I mean that I'm not worried because I am already getting-" he buzzed slightly, screen shifting, and he let out a happily little shudder, "-heheheh the numbers and we are getting a lot of eyes on this."

"Of course you are, my dear," Valentino said and despite how lovely dovey he was sounding Velvette didn't feel the urge to gag. Val had been so moody over the last month or so and while he was an overly dramatic shit toddler, wailing and screeching because he didn't get the fucking happy meal he wanted (and by that she meant cock) he had been far too quiet for her liking. So him seeming almost back to normal was- "And I'm sure that Velvette won't be offended at all that YOU are getting more views than her."

-fucking fuck fuck fuck!

"What was that?" Velvette demanded, narrowing her eyes.

"Just saying…" Valentino said slyly, "…people want to see the action and Vox is going to provide it." He gestured as several cameras that were stationed high above the ballroom; Vox "convinced" Cecelia that she should absolutely allow him to film the entire tournament and no he didn't need to pay her anything, she would be rewarded with 'exposure' which, honestly, had made Velvette grit her teeth because she was fucking evil but not THAT fucking evil. There were also imp-held cameras that would begin moving through the ballroom once the duels started, finding the best games and making sure to zero in on them.

(Left unsaid was that Velvette just knew that Vox wouldn't be able to resist the urge to cheat. She really hoped he didn't because if he were caught, and with how unsubtle he could be she knew he most likely would be, it would be a massive blow to them. The temptation to get his employees to film things for him and let him know cards that were in hands would be like wagging an underage virginal ass in front of Valentino… he would be going after it before he could stop himself)

"Face it," Vox stated, "this is one where TV beats the internet."

"We'll see," Velvette said but before any more comments could be made Cecelia Pegasus stepped up to the podium and the silent command for everyone to get to their seats filled the ballroom. "Hmmm, looks like the Princess has a good group," Velvette said, noticing Charlie Morningstar hurrying back to her seat. "Who is that guy with the beard?" She nodded towards someone who one MIGHT have thought was Lucifer Morningstar… if not for the fact that he was sporting a very big bushy gray beard, sunglasses, and thick fuzzy eyebrows. "Looks like she has another project on her hands."

"Wonder if that's why her daddy didn't show up," Vox commented. "Found out she's dating an older man."

"Oooooh, you think so?" Velvette said, itching to blast that out on Sinner. Gossip such as that…

"Hmmm, I don't know," Valentino said, "she is cuddling up to her current girlfriend. What's her name? Clitty?"

"PussPuss," Vox supplied.

"Cunny," Velvette stated with utter conviction. "And she's sitting right there with them…"

Cecelia began to speak before any of the Vees could make another comment. "Welcome to the Hellfire Gala!" she held her arms out wide and there was just enough applause to make things not terribly awkward. "We'll be starting with our first course meal before we begin with the first round of dueling. Each of you received in your invitations one non-transferable ticket…"

"Stupid non-transferring bullshit," Vox muttered, making Velvette smirk. He had tried to find some way to get more tickets as while he had no idea WHAT the ticket was for he knew that it was better to have more than one.

"You are welcome to duel whoever you wish but in order for it to be official you must surrender your ticket to one of our official judges. They will monitor the duel and the winner will get both tickets… the loser's shit out of luck." She grinned at that and several Sinners muttered to themselves, not liking the idea that it was an all or nothing thing for the tournament. "Now… you are welcome to have as many unofficial duels as you want and if you want to place some side bets I'm not going to thumb my nose at it. But only those that are using tickets are in for the prize."

Velvette leaned forward, VERY curious what the prize might be.

"Now… I could just say that we were going to give bragging rights… but that wouldn't be that interesting, now would it?" The crowd grumbled at that. "And while all of us love money… that doesn't' feel fitting for the very first Duel Monsters tournament." Cecelia looked around and wisely decided not to keep stringing them along and actually get to the stuff everyone cared about. "The runner up will be receiving a prize pack of rare, never released cards, all done in special holographic foil. The winner of the tournament though will get a special prize." She paused once more and Velvette was about ready to yell for her to get fucking on with it when Cecelia proclaimed, "The winner will work with me to design a brand new card exclusive for their deck."

THAT had everyone murmuring in shock.

Velvette at once saw the power in that. "A new card you yourself design."

"Could make something super powerful," Valentino said.

"Or fix a weakness so that nothing can hurt you again," Vox proclaimed.

The three Vees glanced at each other.

Each were contemplating just what a single card could do for their deck. Valentino had complained that while he had plenty of nasty spells and traps he was lacking good monsters that fit his theme, forcing him to throw in 'random garbage'. Vox had a solid deck but Velvette knew that he was one really devastating spell card away from truly being a threat. And as for herself her Evil Twin deck, which she had paid quite a bit for and needed to give her followers quite a few perks in order for them to help her track down every last card, was a solid deck but a powerful finishing monster would make her unstoppable.

"Of course… I'll be happy if either of you two win," Vox said quickly.

"Of course, of course," Valentino proclaimed.

Velvette merely nodded. "I mean… so long as one of us gets it."

The three stared at each other before quietly focusing on their menus.