Chapter Text
Prison wasn’t easy.
Sure, it got better as the weeks passed into months passed into years… but it was never easy.
Veneer was an easy target for aggression. In the beginning, Velvet didn’t do anything to help him, adamantly ignoring him and leaving him to fend for his own, ensuring she wouldn’t be around him. That changed after about a year though, when she suddenly began standing up for him, making her place known as a top dog, so to speak. Slowly but surely, she went from merely snapping at those who harassed Veneer to hanging around him again- sheepishly at first, but upon seeing his openness to connect with her again, she gained confidence in what she was doing.
It wasn’t as if she felt guilty. She had fame, and she didn’t regret it whatsoever. Her only regret was letting herself get caught. So she held it against her brother for that year, but eventually found that life was quite dull without the idiot by her side. Plus, only she could pick on her brother, not some random prisoners.
So just as before, the two were connected at the hip, similar to when they were kids. Velvet would protect Veneer, and in return, Veneer would provide company and familiarity.
There wasn’t much to do in prison. So the two resorted to singing, ironically. They were downright dreadful at first, but as the years passed, their talent grew organically. Sure, they still weren’t as incredible as from when they used the Troll essence, but still. It was nice.
So when the day came- just a few weeks after their 23rd birthday- in which Veneer was told he was being released, there was joy. Well, at first there was. It wasn’t until the two realized that it was only Veneer getting released that hell broke loose.
To begin with, Velvet wasn’t exactly a model inmate. So looking back, it made sense why she wasn’t released when her brother was. Still, it didn’t exactly make her happy. She yelled, flipped tables, screamed at the guards, and overall caused quite the fuss. In the end though, she wore herself down, eyes filled with tears from the frustration.
Their goodbye was hard. Despite what they’d been through, they were still siblings, they still loved each other. Even Velvet. And despite being twins, Veneer was her baby brother. Her brother that she wished desperately she could leave with. But she still had another two years on her sentence.
Veneer promised to visit often. Velvet merely nodded solemnly. And with a final tight hug, the two parted ways, Veneer being escorted out, a final look over his shoulder revealing a much less confident looking Velvet, glancing up with a pitiful look.
The loud doors shut with a loud click. And Veneer was alone now, without the one constant in his life- his sister.
Life outside prison was a daze at first. His parents had been called to pick him up from the prison, and just as during their visits, they cooed and fussed over him, exclaiming how happy they were that he was finally out, that they had their baby boy back. They said nothing of Velvet. Veneer assumed it was so they wouldn’t chance hitting a nerve.
Right call. He wasn’t sure he could hold it together if they reminded him again of how his sister was still in that drab prison, surrounded by inmates who, at this point, had grown to have an immense distaste for both the ex-pop stars.
Upon arriving home with his parents, he flopped face first onto his bed, immediately knocking out. He was exhausted.
The days passed as he worked to regain his footing in the outside world again. He ate fast food nearly every day, lounging around in his room and scrolling social media. By now, the news of the criminal twins had died down nearly completely, so he didn’t have to worry much about bumping into constant reminders. Though for the first couple days, he admittedly did spend nearly all his time searching out old news articles, reading people’s thoughts.
Of course, they were distasteful and disapproving of the siblings’ actions. Why wouldn’t they be? The two had literally been torturing the poor little trolls. It brought back memories of the small conversations Veneer would hold with the small troll with pink hair- Floyd?- and the little thing’s pleading to be let go. Moreso, he was reminded of just how tired and drained he looked after it was all over.
Veneer felt horrible even thinking about it. He shook his head, attempting to shake out the thoughts of how despite it all, he had not only gone along with his sister’s schemes, but he liked it as well. He liked being famous, he liked being able to sing so beautifully. Sure, he may not have been as passionate about it as Velvet was, but that didn’t mean he was totally innocent in the matter.
Letting his thoughts wander on the matter, Veneer sighed as he laid on his bed, staring at the wall. He had no idea what he was supposed to do with his life now. Get a job? No, nobody would hire him. Take up dancing? Nah, everyone would think he was just stealing talent again. Maybe he could become an artist? He pondered for a few moments before scoffing. No way, too much work for something he didn’t even care that much for.
Maybe he could travel?
He thought over it for a moment. He certainly had the money; his parents would give him anything if he asked. Plus it meant he could get away from it all. Maybe he could start a new life, a life somewhere far from Mount Rageous. Vaycay island, perhaps? Maybe even with the bergans? Well, maybe not the bergans.. they’d grown awfully protective over the trolls, last he heard.
Still, traveling wasn’t a bad idea at all. There was so much more of the world to explore and see. Plus, it would give him a chance to find a nice place for Velvet to return to in a couple years, seeing as she wasn’t all that fond of their parents. And goodness knows that she didn’t need more fuel to the fire that was her short temper.
He sat up, nodding to himself. He was gonna do it. If he thought too much about it he’d chicken out, so it was vital he start as soon as he possibly could.
Hopping out of bed, he rushed to his parents in the kitchen, and began pitching his plan to them.