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It was a normal day for Alastor, as normal as it could get here in Hell. Alastor hummed a tune as he passed his usual route. The busy road was home to a cacophony of sounds as cars swerved and people screamed. Alastor revelled in the chaos around him. Yes, quite the normal day in Hell.
Anyways, he was walking on one of the most famous and dangerous roads that Hell had to offer. A few more miles, and Alastor could rest his hooves and drink coffee with Rosie. Though the roads were dangerous, so was Alastor. He had no fear as he made towards Rosie’s abode. After all, who was going to drink coffee with Rosie at this time of the day, if not him? Alastor would never leave a close friend hanging.
As he was walking he noticed the imposing billboard that had Vox's face on it, he cringed and kept walking. That buffoon loved to have his likeness plastered and showcased on every inch of Hell. The luminescent neon colors contrasted against the deep carmine skies of the Pride ring. Vox’s wide tooth grin taunted Alastor’s tight-lipped smile.
All of Hell knew of Alastor’s and Vox’s rivalry. It is pretty difficult to ignore the havoc the duo wreck on the infrastructure of Pentagram City. The two demons were vastly different from each other, and they made it everybody's problem.
The deer demon was a quaint fellow. Most would call him old-fashioned. He refused to learn about the technology of the future and stuck to listening to the tunes of his time. Everywhere he went, Alastor broadcasted an image of elegance and destruction with a charming smile. While Vox was modern in every way from technology, to music, to lifestyle. The newest technology, the latest trend, the most recent music. Vox was fluent in all aspects of the future. Yet, Vox’s crude and brutish way of handling his business led to a terrifying yet very different reputation than Alastor’s. While Vox’s fans swarmed his every location and scrutinized every appearance, Alastor fans simply enjoyed Alastor’s performance in the safety of their homes. Together, the two were like cats and dogs. That is, if cats and dogs could cause mass destruction.
As Alastor continued on his way, he felt someone's scrutinizing stare. Though the demon was used to the wandering eyes of passersby this felt different. He felt as if he was prey being stalked by a predator. He didn't feel scared, or nervous, but he did feel a slight discomfort. Of course, Alastor was no coward. Refusing to acknowledge his discomfort, Alastor kept walking toward his destination with his usual grin plastered on a grey face. Only a few more minutes.
As Alastor continued forward, his wariness only increased. After a while, he finally realized why he felt as if someone was burning holes through his back. Unknowingly, the deer demon had been passing lots of shops with TVs out on display. That buffoon was at it again. Alastor turned around and scanned the area. Tons of shop windows showcased all sorts of televisions.
"Vox, I know that you are following me." Alastor said as the TV screens began to malfunction. Alastor spoke, very much unimpressed, “You aren’t as sly as you believe to be.” The screens glitched as they were forced to broadcast the Television Demon.
"Oh...How did you know? Did you perhaps get so used to having me as your rival that you know my moves...Bambi." Vox said with a condescending tone as Alastor cringed at Vox calling him that. Vox knew Alastor hated it when he called him that so for him and he reveled in the twitch of red ears and narrowed eyes of the demon. A deep menacing voice questioned, ”What gave me away, Bambi?” Alastor’s eyebrows furrowed at the nickname.
With a flippant eye roll, Alastor replied, “Your stupidity.” A gruff chuckle vibrated through the speakers of every television in front of Alastor. Unimpressed, Alastor continued his stroll down the city.
“C’mon, Bambi, don’t be such a drag. Aren’t you going to ask me why I’m looking for you,” asked Vox. His smile nearly covers all of his screen. Vox backed up, and his image was distorted. Instead of facing Alastor, Vox was walking alongside Alastor. It gave the illusion that Vox was strolling about the city with hell’s most infamous overlord.
Alastor’s eyes narrowed as he quipped back, “Nope. I don’t need to respond to your attempt at showing off. I have a meeting with a dear friend of mine. So please, continue your ruckus without me.”
Vox shook his monstrous head, “It’s no fun without an audience, Alastor!”
“Then beg for an audience elsewhere,” Alastor snapped.
Alastor kept walking, but suddenly a hand grabbed at the deer demon’s hand and pulled him back to where he was. Alastor tried to pull his hand away fromVox, but another hand shot out of the screen and gripped his arm. Vox tried to drag Alastor into the television with a harsh tug.
Alastor saw that Vox had broken the glass of the shop window and his hands were sticking out of the TV, still holding the cervine demon while the rest of his body was inside the screens of the TVs.
Alastor’s eyebrows furrowed as his anger began to swell, however, his smile remained intact. “Vox, get your filthy hands off of me this instant,” Alastor hissed as static began to grow in volume.
“Oh, what’s wrong, Bambi? Are you scared of the big bad Vox,” Vox asked as his voice began to glitch and his tugs grew harsher.
Alastor snarled as his antlers snapped into more points, his pupils turned into radio dials, his nails grew into claws, and his smile was bigger than ever. Though he was quickly losing his composure, Alastor refused to shift into his full form, opting to stay his usual height.
Vox released Alastor’s arm and retreated the offending appendage. Alastor’s imposing teeth made worrying clicks as he hissed, “What’s wrong, Vox? Are you scared of the big bad Radio Demon?” Vox sunk into the screen and disappeared. Alastor took great pleasure in smashing the remaining televisions. After a while, all the screens of the TVs were shattered into pieces. The glass shards glimmered on the sidewalk in front of the shop.
“HEY! YOU’RE GOING TO HAVE TO P-” the owner of the shop stopped shouting as he saw the culprit of the destruction. An angry Alastor, smile wide and menacing.
“NEVER MIND, MR. RADIO DEMON. DO W-WHAT YOU PLEASE.” The owner quickly scampered off. Alastor snickered as his form began to return to normal.
“What an obnoxious television,” Alastor said to himself as he continued his merry way to Rosie’s home. After a few minutes, Alastor arrived at the Cafe to see Rosie sitting at one of the rounded tables patiently awaiting her company. Alastor approached the table with a genuine smile tugging at his lips.
"Hello, my dear. My apologies for being late. Let's just say that I had some business that I had to deal with,” Alastor remarked as he sat down at the table.
"I can see that,” Rosie glances down at Alastor’s frazzled appearance, “What happened this time? Another fight with Vox?" She asked as the name of his enemy made Alastor feel like vomiting.
"Not a fight per se. That idiot box has been stalking me around the Pentagram. I have better things to do than waste my time on a walking picture box trying his best to get me to join his posse of miscreants,” Alastor complained as Rosie was drinking her tea.
"Oh my, looks like you attracted someone,” Rosie commented, stirring more sugar cubes into a velvet looking tea.
"Tell me about it. The worst thing is that he's so obsessed with me that it seems he's fond of me, “ Alastor groaned as he waited for the waiter to come back.
Rosie tilted her head,"Are you fond of him?" Alastor’s face looked at Rosie indignantly. His ears pinned back and his smile looked akin to a grimace.
“Of course not. I have never even a sliver of a positive sentiment towards Vox, and will never fancy him either,” Alastor responded, his face scrunched up in disgust.
Rosie smiled, “Perhaps, you can use Vox’s obsession as… some leverage of sorts. “
Alastor tilted his head, and his ears swiveled, “How so?”
Rosie leaned forward, “He obviously has some sort of romantic or lustful feelings towards you. Use it. Reciprocate his advances until he believes you want him back. Theh, either kill him or strike a deal taking everything away from him.” Rosie leaned back, and drank her cinnamon tea. Her eyes were lidded and her smile malicious.
Alastor glanced to the side. Rosie did seem to have a point. Instead of constantly dealing with Vox’s advancements, how about instead he made it a game. Toy with Vox until he could destroy everything. Alastor’s smile widened, “What an amazing idea. That thought would have never crossed my mind. Thank you, Rosie.”
"Anytime. Now tell me, how's that hotel of redemption doing?" She asked as he was drinking his coffee.
"Failing, but it is sure entertaining to watch,” Alastor responded bluntly. Rosie giggled and the duo began chatting about everything and nothing. They gossiped about the residents in the Cannibal Colony. They poked fun at Carmilla’s and Zestial's behaviour at the Overlord meetings, and they shared recipes on how to best consume sharks.
At the V tower
Vox couldn't believe that only an hour ago he snapped Alastor and he found his weakness. The simpleness of touch made his Bambi feel so uncomfortable, and he loved it. The sadistic demon started laughing and it caught Valentino's attention.
"Voxxy? What's so funny?” Valentino asked, red smoke billowing around his presence
"Oh, nothing Val. Let's just say that I found the little deer's weakness,” Vox explained as he started laughing again.
"Okay, Voxxy, we get it. You're really obsessed with him."Velvette said with a huge grin on her face.
Vox’s screen flashed an array of colors. Finally landing on blue with a purplish tinge of blush,"No, I'm not, I'm just studying his weaknesses and methods so I can win him in a battle,” Vox exclaimed as Velvette stared him down. She wasn’t falling for this ‘nemesis’ act.
"Don't you mean to win his affections?" Velvette teases as Vox’s screen flashed an error sign.
"W-Well if you excuse me I have some business that I have to deal with. I will see you guys later,” Vox mumbled as he got up and shuffled about. Velvette was grinning harder and Valentino watched Vox’s clumsy attempt at leaving hastily.
"Okay, but remember to have the volume in the car stereo low when you're listening to Alastor's broadcast. Wouldn’t it be embarrassing if everyone saw the Vox tuning in on Alastor’s crappy podcast,” Velvette giggled as Vox hurried out of the building flipping off Velvette and Valentino. When Vox got inside his car, he turned on the stereo to listen to his Bambi's lovely voice. After all, he loved that little red deer and he was going to make him his no matter what.