𝔗𝔥𝔢 ℭ𝔯𝔦𝔪𝔰𝔬𝔫 𝔇𝔢𝔢𝔯

" Angel introduced us, he didn't find out until later that you are family, and you know damn well I'd kick his ass if he even tried to use me to get close to you"

" Yes. Well.. Not anyone would actually ask me if I was hurt or not, so I figure that alone counts for something." He stood nearby, arms behind his back with cane in hand.

Maybe that's why she didn't have trouble now in simply agreeing when she would have usually just argued, "Yeah, it does. It counts for something."

Thinking again of how Charlie had offered her mercy she had not deserved, she was sure.

Xaviera simply agreeing was still quite a surprise even though they seemed to be understanding each other. " Oh. Alright.."

💭 My muse sees a dream your muse is having.

Angel Dust was fast asleep at the bar when Alastor approached him. As he got closer, he suddenly got visions of Angel Dust riding a Hell horse bareback, going across a field with a smile on his face and feeling the wind in his fur.

" It appears you had fallen asleep on the bar counter, dear. " he began after a blanket disappeared the second he realized Angel was awake. He looked cold and sleeping at the bar didn't seem comfortable but he couldn't really judge either. Alastor typically didn't sleep at all.

"Oh, right. I wonder when I dozed off. Must have been a couple of hours ago." He rubbed at his eyes again. The last stretches of work were a bit of a blur, but he still recalled them well enough.

" well, Angel, it is currently six o'clock in the morning." if you really looked closely at the face of the pocket watch, you would notice it didn't have any actual numbers on it. It was just strange symbols that may have meaning or may not. It was highly possible that It was just a prop though but who could really say for certain?

This dinner was awkward, to say the least, sitting right across from his "arch nemesis" with his hands folded on the table. He was surprised Alastor even accepted his invitation, though he didn't have faith Alastor would stay for much longer. So, he took a sip of his drink and cleared his throat.

"I've been doing some introspection. A rare occurrence for me, I must confess, but I just wanted to say I'm sorry about the past. I can see things from your perspective now, and I didn't mean to make you feel like you were being used, especially not for...that." He shivered a little. "I understand how it must have looked. I acted so love sick back then. I mean, I thought I was romantically in love with you, but I don't think I was, actually. No offense, of course. Not that it would have been right to push that on you either way!"

He put his hands up a little in surrender, eyes narrowing in thought.

Honestly? The only reason Alastor had accepted this invitation was because Charlie thought it wouldn't hurt to at least give Vox a chance. He couldn't exactly say no to the princess, now could he?

" My, how very mature of you, Vox~" he remarked with whiskey in hand and his cheeks turned up into a playful smirk. " I guess time really does heal all wounds. I mean, when I saw that invite, I thought to myself- 'well, this should be interesting' but more that I doubted that you would actually apologize to me. Your fragile ego couldn't possibly let you~ "

.. Okay. Alastor, that was a little mean considering your rival just apologized to you. It was fun to tease every now again, wasn't it? It wasn't anything serious. " but of course, people do surprise you~" he had his arms on the table, one up holding his glass and the other laid down with hand beneath elbow. He didn't accept the apology but he also didn't exactly not accept it either. It was like he was still trying to make up his mind.

Admittedly, though he was expecting some snark from Alastor, it still managed to bruise his ego. His expression tensed a little, but he'd promised himself he wasn't going to be petty about this, and he planned to stick to that promise.

"I'm not doing it to be seen as mature, goodness knows enough people see me that way as it is, for whatever reason. I'm doing it because I'm actually sorry." he took in a deep breath. "However, I would have doubted me too, so it's not like I really blame you."

He softened a bit at the additional comment, tense shoulders relaxing. He wasn't really expecting Alastor to accept his apology and he didn't really care either way. He just had a realization and he couldn't ignore it. As easy as it would be to try, it wasn't very productive. He took a sip of his drink as well to help him calm down more.

Vox immediately relaxed at the invitation to be able to talk about something factually. "No, aro, it stands for aromantic. It means someone who doesn't feel romantic attraction to others, though it's also a spectrum. Realizing I was aromantic helped me understand where you might be coming from, among other things. I just remembered us talking in the past about how you didn't really get the appeal, so."

It was a notable growth on Vox's part that he wasn't throwing a tantrum or the like when Alastor clearly managed to hurt his little ego. He could give him that much at least, even if the picture box being petty would have been far more entertaining.

" you really are quite serious about this, aren't you? I figured you would be more.. prune to outbursts. I did put you in your place for all of hell to witness. Not to mention that power outage."

It was getting a little boring. Alastor had really hoped that this was going to be more interesting than it actually was. Maybe a little banter and some Vox acting like a baby. The topic switch to this term did help to make the conversation less boring for him though.

Vox had clearly, physically deflated at this point in the conversation. His antennas were sagging, but he kept his back straight and his expression neutral.

"Well, yeah. I liked us as friends. I know you don't like sappy stuff, and I don't either, so I'll skip it. I threw an entire fit because I had a hard time admitting to myself how stupid it was to try and involve that with business. Especially in Hell. Do you think I'm actually friends with the other Vees?" He snorted at the very idea, perking up a little. "Yeah, no. I like Velvette, but we're not friends. I prefer it that way now. I can understand your point now."

"Yes, but asexuality focuses on sexual attraction. Romantic attraction is different." He rubbed the side of his head. "I know it's weird. Back when we both lived they used to be treated as the same thing, but the younger sinners, they've separated them now. You can have both, or none, or even one or the other. As for what romantic attraction is that's...complicated. You can be disinterested and still have romantic attraction, so it really just depends on why you're disinterested. I'd say, if you never feel instinctually pulled towards anyone in a romantic way, you're probably aromantic. That's what I feel and it was classified as aromantic so..."

It was close enough, he supposed. Alastor had managed to get the other to the point of deflating like a balloon meanwhile he himself was still smiling without any suggestion of unease. There was only utter boredom as he watched the ice in his drink swirl around for a moment.

" So you did learn something after all but still, even if you're not friends with the other Vees, it is clear to me that you still need them." and he viewed that as being weak. Strength to Alastor was to not need anyone and to not be needed by anyone.

" Ah, yes, the younger generation really do like to make things complicated, don't they? Well. I suppose by your definition, I would be aromantic. I never really felt that way towards any particular person yet honestly I figured that was simply because I hadn't found the 'right person' until Charlie explained asexuality to me. "

Any deflation in Vox's expression dissappeared starting with a little snicker, clearling his throat and struggling to hold it in. He looked absolutely delighted.

"Alastor, come on, you're still on that whole 'I'm a lonewolf, I don't need anyone else' shtick? Okay, fine, let me count the score for you." He held up his fingers as he counted. "You lost me, your only friend at the time, though I'm sure you'll make new ones out of those cute little hotel residents, then you dissapeared for seven years under 'mysterious circumstances', probably for everyone's attention, I'm sure, and finally you got your ass beat by Adam. But sure, you're so strong, real proud of you, champ. You really showed me, you know."

"Of course I need them! Life would be so boring without them. So I let Velvette have her fashion shows and Valentino has his porn. Goodness knows I wouldn't want them involved in the actual work of my company, the tech side of things. Can you imagine? On Velvette's, part everything would be pink with little hearts and Xs on them, maybe even cute little robot skirts, and Valentino would put dildos on everything, somehow, even if it doesn't make any sense." He could no longer hold his laugh in, entire body rocking in his seat, putting his cup down because drinking right now would be a bad idea. "But, you know what? You've convinced me, pal. I mean, I'm just so weak, how can I refuse their requests?"

He needed to take a few moments to calm down, but he was still left smiling from screen side to screen side at the concept.

well.. Alastor certainly wasn't expecting that he would be the one getting laughed at today. He just stared blankly, squinting and blinking as the glass in hand nearly tipped over as he was not entirely focused on that any more.

" I had other friends!" was the only thing he could think to say when Vox started to count the score as it were, slamming the glass on the table. " you were not my only friend. I had Rosie, Mimzy, Niffty.. Husker! That's four other friends and I still talk to them to this day." his ears pinning down, his claws digging into the table as little as the noisy picture box kept on listing things, " none of them came begging me for a partnership."

Vox examined his reaction, eyes traveling down to the cup as it nearly tipped, and then was later smashed, though he didn't so much as flinch. He'd become immune to such things really. When did it become so dull? He frowned momentarily, before smiling at Alastor.

"Okay, okay. I'm sorry mister tall and mysterious, you aren't exactly forth coming about these things, so. Scratch that one, but the others are still true." He put his hands up in surrender, looking highly amused. "And I already apologized for that. I didn't say what I said to be mean, I said what I said because I'd prefer not to randomly hear you ended up in some ditch somewhere. This isn't me asking for a partnership again, I've long since moved past that, and I can't force you to do anything, just...well, that basically summarizes how I feel."

Alastor just ordered another drink while a shadow puppet took care of the broken glass. Oh, the deer demon had been immune to these things long before he even arrived in Hell.

" Oh, right, because faking an apology isn't a thing." he sarcastically remarked before moving a hand up to rub his forehead, eyes shut for a brief second as he took in a breath. Charlie's anger management classes were really rubbing off on him, huh? " Sorry. " he stared at the other with a tired look in his eyes with a close mouthed smile, " I just.. It is hard to believe what anybody says when I don't know if they are lying or not. If it is just another game."

It has been something he struggled with since he got here but only recently been able to put into words. He started to finally feel himself again only for Vox to show up and bring back old memories. He did let out an amused laugh at the other admitting to having a terrible memory.

There was a second of silence from him. He was surprised, dumbstruck even. It wasn't like Alastor went around giving apologies to just anyone. Despite what Alastor said, there clearly had been some changes within him. He allowed himself a bit of skeptical optimism, but no more than that.

"I really don't have any alterior motives here, Al. This apology doesn't benefit me in anyway. We've gone our separate ways business wise for years now, trying to do the opposite at this juncture would be an absolute nightmare, our rivarly hasn't stopped me from doing what I please, and while I will admit I find the hotel you're staying at interesting, it's out of curiosity, not because I think it'll affect my business. I can literally just walk over there and check it out whenever I want. I don't need you for that and it's hardly an urgent desire." He took a sip of his drink, eyeing Alastor carefully. "But, out of curiosity, is there anything I could do to make you believe me? Nothing too extreme, mind you, but."

It made him smile more to hear Alastor laugh again, shoulders relaxing.

Vox better enjoy it while he can because it may not ever happen again. It was a rare moment of weakness, that was all. He wasn't going to repeat himself but he wasn't exactly going to take it back either.

" You were always the logical type now that I think about it and so I guess you make good points. Sometimes just mere boredom is enough motive for me and I assume that is usually the case for everyone else. Why else would anyone do anything if not boredom or any kind of selfish reason?" he had a real quick looksie over the menu while they talked only to get distracted when the other asked the question of how to prove he was genuinely sorry. " hmm.. well, I guess that you could let me see what you've been getting up to. We haven't spoken face to face like this in a long time and I'm sure your studio has improved over the years. I want to know you didn't neglect your sound system in favor of your flashy little moving pictures."

If there was anything that remained true to this day, it was Alastor's love for his radios. He was concerned that Vox overimproved the radios he left behind in his seven year absence. Alastor still had a vast majority of his radios but there were a few uncounted for. He knew exactly how many he had and it was less now than he did before he disappeared. It wasn't by a whole lot, of course but it was enough for a control freak like Alastor to take notice.

Vox felt less defeated now. He knew better than to have his guard down completely, but he'd at least have these new memories with Alastor, even if the conversation ended up going sideways.

"It's true. It takes a lot for me to do something out of a whim. Gosh, I remember back in the day how you'd just casually cut up a rug while I sat there awkwardly at the bar, watching you." He chuckled and shook his head. "To be fair, if I'd tried at the time, I would have fallen straight to the floor with that big head of mine. But still, either way I struggled to understand the concept of wanting to dance just for the sake of. I'm still a bit of a bore that way." He spotted Alastor looking at the menu. "This place is supposed to have good cannibal dishes as well, but I can't vouch for them myself."

"Oh, sure, I don't mind. Don't worry, I've kept your radios in perfect condition! I've had to replace the parts over the years just to keep them operational, but they're all fine." He tapped his claws on the table in thought. "The studio is definitely bigger, better. No more editing out of a garage anymore. Valentino helped a lot with that, Velvette came later. She does her own thing mostly, not to mention managing our social media accounts, but she's a good conversationalist, so."

" Oh, yeah, I remember that. I could never get you to let loose even just a little bit. You were always so serious~" It was indeed nice to have this again, just playful banter back and forth as they recalled things they did together. He rested his cheek against his knuckles with his ears positioned in a somewhat relaxed manner while still being alert to their surroundings. You never knew when a fight may break out or if you may not to dash out of the place for any particular reason.

It was this reason that Alastor heard the waiter walking over before they even reached the table, straightening up more and looking over with one ear pointing towards Vox, still listening to what his rival was saying even while half of his attention shifted elsewhere.

" Oh really? Well, I guess we'll see about that." he remarked when Vox made the comment about this place having good cannibal options. It wasn't a restaurant that Alastor often went to, preferring the little cozy cafe located in Cannibal Town. This was.. much different in comparison. It was much more Vox's taste.

" It sounds like you are really doing well for yourself." but could Alastor really say the same for himself? Sure, the hotel was getting more popular but it was the only thing he had going for him outside of his radio broadcasts. " I don't quite get the whole... what was it again? social.. mania? No. It was social mantis?" he literally just heard Vox say it and he still couldn't think of it. He put that thought on hold while he gave his order to the waiter. The cannibal options in this restaurant were quite different from what he usually gets at Rose's. They were.. very unique, one might say and he was curious about each one but for now he simply went with this one dish that was supposedly the liver of an alcoholic with a side of the brain of a mathematician. There was also this interesting dish where they deep fry fingers like you do with french fries.

" Hahaha! And I will have you know that grown men have cried at mine~" Alastor joked right back at Vox as if trying to one up him. He was relaxed once again when the waiter went off, turning back to fully face the other but his ears still pointed up like antennas.

" Oh, yes, the emotions thing. Hm. It is quite the complex subject, isn't it? I remember Charlie explained that it is normal to say things you do not mean in the heat of the moment. You are upset, angry or what have you with the other person. The strategy to dealing with it, she said, was to simply step away for a moment and clear your head. Whatever that might look for you- be it to go for a walk or... " He paused for a moment, realizing he was paraphrasing the princess and then cleared his throat, proceeding to change the subject.