Chapter Text
October 5, 2021
Velvette hated meetings. In life, in death, with all the overlords, with just Vox and Valentino, any kind of meeting. In the meetings she’s been in, they managed to talk about a subject while simultaneously dancing around it. At least with the other two Vees, they got straight to the point, but taking time out of her day for a problem that shouldn’t be hers was always bloody annoying.
Which is why she didn’t know how to feel about the one happening in a couple minutes. It was her problem, yes, but it’s not like she wanted to talk about it!
“If this place isn’t spotless by the time I’m back, I will skin your arses and wear them!” Velvette had threatened her souls as she marched out of the studio.
(Not that she chose what to wear. None of her outfits were chosen. Being a doll demon apparently meant her hair, clothes, shoes, whatever, was constantly being changed. One minute, she’s sporting a sundress and her hair is down. The next, she’s in a jumpsuit and braids.)
She was the last one to arrive. Vox and Valentino thankfully weren’t devouring each others’ throats while waiting. They stared at Velvette as she took her seat next to Vox, absentmindedly scrolling on EnVee as she waited for Vox to start the meeting.
When more silence persisted, Velvette looked up from her phone to see Vox and Val still staring at her. “What?”
“Your outfit, babydoll.” Valentino snickered. “Have you not noticed it?”
Velvette never paid attention to what she was wearing anymore. Her Quick Changes became normal for her after a week. She’d see her gloves change, or feel hair on her neck when it was previously up, but she always ignored it. Rolling her eyes, she got up from her seat. She walked up to the glass of the shark tank, hoping to get a better look from its reflection.
She was wearing a fitted black tank and baggy cargo pants of the same color. Her hair was in a high ponytail, where braids sprouted from it and ended at her waist. Headphones on her neck, short black fingerless gloves, and athletic shoes accessorized her attire.
It was the exact outfit Virus was wearing that night at the banquet.
“What the fuck?!” Velvette shrieked. “Is this a joke?!”
“Guess your outfit knew what the meeting topic was.” Valentino teased.
Velvette quickly took her seat, doing her best to look at her associates if only to avoid her reflection.
“Speaking of which,” Vox turned to Velvette, arm resting on the table, “what the fuck was that at the banquet, Velvette?”
Velvette shrunk in her seat, staring at the table as if it would give her answers if she glared hard enough.
“Begging me to invite Virus on the show, then pissing her off like that?” Vox continued on. “We already have enough enemies as is. We do not need another one with influence! Especially after I expanded her reach!”
“She’s not going to be an enemy.” Velvette mumbled. “Not unless we provoke her.”
“I’d say you provoked her pretty damn hard.” Valentino smirked. “Or did she just blow a couple fuses because she was horny? That also happens.” He punctuated with a wink pointed towards Vox.
Velvette scoffed and hoped the heat rising was just the temperature of the room. “She said she wanted nothing to do with me, so it wouldn’t be like her to starting poking at us. If anything, this just means she’ll leave us alone.”
“Well, I don’t want that either!” Vox exclaimed. “You said we could capitalize on her fame, and now we can’t?!”
“We could ruin her!” Valentino suggested. “Shred her reputation to pieces. An example not to disrespect us.”
“That won’t work.” Velvette said as she picked her phone back up. EnVee was a hell of a distraction. Maybe if she saw other people’s happy lives, she could lie to herself and say that the unsettling feeling in her stomach was because of the jealousy of seeing other people happy with their friends, their lovers, their lifelong best friends whose friendships lasted despite the hardships.
Not because the idea of Virus being at the mercy of Valentino caused a pit in her stomach.
“What do you mean?” Valentino asked, clearly annoyed that he couldn’t shoot someone.
“Virus doesn’t care about other people.” Velvette explained. “The only opinion she has ever cared about is hers. Everyone could despise and hate her, and she wouldn’t give half a shit.“
“Not even her girlfriend?” Valentino asked skeptically.
“Not even—“ Velvette froze. Her phone dropped from her hand and landed on the table. She slowly looked up at Valentino, scouring his face for any form of joke or deceit.
“She has a fucking girlfriend?!”
“She does! A cute one too.” Valentino grinned at the enjoyment of Velvette’s torment. “Owns the club she frequents. The plant demon.“
Velvette remembered the plant demon all too well. Flirtatious, domineering, calculated. When she stared longingly at the DJ from behind the bar, Velvette just thought it was because she just wanted some scissoring! Not because…
“That’s impossible.” Velvette tried to argue. “Virus never dated. She said it was too much work. That she couldn’t care for someone like that. That’s why she rejected everyone wanting more than just sex!” Velvette hugged herself, her nails digging into her arms. “It’s why she… she…”
The demeanor of the other two Vees changed. Annoyance and schadenfreude shifted to concern and confusion.
“Did you… know her?” Vox asked. “From when you were alive?”
Velvette lack of an answer was an answer in that of itself.
“That explains everything.” Valentino remarked. “Dollface, that is going to happen. People change a lot when someone close to them passes.”
“And their attitudes toward certain topics change even more when they realize they’re in Hell.” Vox added. “Hell changes people. And I’d be surprised if anyone has ever changed for the better.”
Velvette refused to look up at them. However many excuses or reason they threw out, it didn’t change how Virus didn’t want to see her. They were only pretending to give a shit so she wouldn’t slack off on her duties. They don’t really care.
“What Virus feels right now will pass.” Vox assured. “She’s been alive more than she has been dead. Your humans lives are still fresh in her mind. Just give her time.”
“If there’s one thing about emotions, it’s that they’re temporary. Eventually, this little spat between you two will be a distant memory.” Valentino claimed. “Besides, you’re a fucking overlord! Whatever you liked about this DJ you could easily find in someone else who would kill to be in your good graces. Just fuck them as a placeholder until Virus comes to her senses. She’ll come crawling back to you, begging for what you two used to have.”
Christ, you know you’ve lost it when Valentino gives good advice. Velvette thought, taking what he said into account.
Velvette never had many friends due to her… problematic actions. Virus was the only one who wasn’t related to her and still stuck around. Not out of altruism, but because Virus was in the same boat as Velvette. They didn’t feel like they needed to hide their unsavory qualities from each other, which is why they got along so well.
Hell, however, had different rules. Everyone here sucked, and they didn’t hide it, so Virus had more options to choose from.
They each had around five years to move on from one another. Virus did. Why couldn’t Velvette?
Maybe it was about time for her to take a page out of Virus’ book, and just stop giving a shit.
“You’re right.” Velvette was finally able to look her associates in the eye. “I can’t let this nobody dictate my thoughts. She doesn’t want to deal with me? Fine. I’ll show her what she’s missing out on.”
“What are you going to do?” Valentino rested his head on his hands, eager to hear Velvette’s battle plan.
“I am going to finish my fashion line! Vlog some more! Give a tour of the penthouse!” An evil smile grew on Velvette’s face as she listed tactics to show off her lavish lifestyle. “Start partying more! Show her I’m having a bitchin’ time!”
“Whatever keeps you motivated, my dear.” Vox said. “Is there anything we can do?”
“No, if you guys do anything, she’ll think I’m butthurt.” Velvette pointed out. Her fingers moved at lightning speed at she opened her notes app to jot down more ideas. “The point is to make her think I’m not thinking about her at all.”
“Then it seems like there’s nothing else to discuss.” Vox rose up from his seat.
“Wait,” Valentino quickly said, “am I still able to go to Nightmare? It is a great place to pick up new recruits.”
Velvette looked up from her phone. Valentino’s blank expression was a good reminder of his critical thinking. “Yeah, I don’t care. Just… maybe try to mention how little I give a shit about Virus.”
“Done and done.” Valentino matched Velvette’s wicked expression. “You all take care now.”
Velvette didn’t get up from her seat. Even as Vox and Val left to resume whatever they were doing. Her notes app became full of several new ideas op top of old ones currently happening that she would need to improve.
Once she felt satisfied with the planning, she got up from her seat and strutted towards the door. The one thing keeping her from reaching her studio was that minuscule glance to the tank.
Her outfit still hadn’t changed.
That was normal, of course, but never had she resented an outfit as much as this one.
She specifically resented how much the outfit made her feel at home. Like she belonged in these clothes. In Virus’ closet. Stealing some loose articles after Virus tore hers apart so she could—
With a roll of her eyes and a scoff, she continued up the tower.
She had a fashion line to finish.