Chapter Text
Vox has always been a social climber. From the moment he’d begun his career as an anchor, he never stopped vying to meet bigger wigs and forcing himself into the heart of most American broadcasting companies. This didn’t change when he dropped into hell.
Vox began to restart his career as a T.V. star almost immediately. He charmed his way into an allegiance with Valentino, an up-and-coming overlord who could see his potential. Vox used Val’s resources to his advantage. He was making deals every day with the less-fortunate, or truly less charismatic, sinners who wanted their concept in a porno. Vox would have them sign their souls away in exchange for Vox ‘pushing the idea’ to his colleagues; which rarely ended with any success. He was a shark.
Just like his power and status, his fame grew quickly. He created his own semi-popular T.V channel and started manufacturing deals with the hellborne to produce his own line of electronic devices which he dubbed VoxTek. Recreating his life’s work was simple and unrewarding. So too, without his vast network on Earth, he had to create more connections to succeed.
Vox understood that being in good standing with other overlords is what would give him the edge on potential foes, or even his own allies. He attended overlord meetings when they were called even though he was a ‘noobie’ and attempted building relations with the others. Unfortunately, the Vee-duo had developed a bad reputation for their snakiness and boorish behavior. Vox had to be Valentino's damage control. The relaxed soirees quickly turned into chores for Vox, who would spend each night schmoozing or even hypnotizing the attendees. It was tiresome. He couldn’t see many of these people becoming more than acquaintances; they were too wary of the Vees. However, there was someone worth chasing down.
Alastor was not nearly as involved in the overlord scene as Vox was; he mostly did his own thing. Because of his immense power, he didn’t need the connections. So too, because of his immense ego, he didn’t want them either. Alastor was a challenge, and a rewarding one at that. If Vox would be able to form an allyship with this enigma, he would certainly be protected from any future scrapes with other demons-- or even an exorcist. Not to mention that Alastor was one of the only other entertainment-based overlords in the Pentagram- he would fit right in with the Vees- he would fit right next to Vox , at the very least.
The issue was that Alastor hardly ever attended meetings or parties. He was either out for a stroll in random corners of the Pentagram, hanging out in Cannibal Town (which was such social taboo that Vox could not risk joining him there), or holed up in his radio tower and completely inaccessible. Though, Vox was determined. Vox believed that he deserved the very best allies, and often, what is most hard to acquire is most rewarding.
So, Vox listened to the demon’s radio broadcast religiously. He took notes, he had his assistant take notes, he installed cameras around the pentagram to attempt to observe Alastor’s ‘stroll’ habits. He learned absolutely everything about Alastor that he allowed to be public- which is to say that he didn’t learn very much. He had a crude map of Alastor’s favorite streets, a list of times he ought to be out, and an extensive list of talking points. Eventually, Vox felt confident enough about his knowledge of Alastor to meet him in person.
Vox planned to find Alastor on a stroll so that he wouldn’t have to ruin his reputation by visiting Cannibal Town. Finding Alastor wouldn’t be hard because he stood out in a crowd- mostly because pedestrians parted ways for him in wide, cautious isles. Alastor would always hold his chin high and walk with plenty of pep in his step when they did this. He deeply enjoyed the fear and respect that the citizens gave him simply by leaving him alone.
Vox, not realizing the sanctity of Alastor’s solitary strolls, continued planning to join him. After consulting his map, his cameras, his timetable, and skimming the ‘talking point list,’ he hit the town.
“What weather today, eh Alastor?” Vox spoke with his hands folded behind his back and a smile plastered on cheesily. They’d met briefly the few times Alastor was in attendance at overlord gatherings, so Vox felt comfortable using his first name.
Alastor stopped in his tracks with a pivot. “As ever. Who are you?” His sentence was punctuated with the click of his heels as they met. Vox was upset that Alastor didn’t remember him, but tried not to let it show.
“Vox, a pleasure,” he held out his hand, but Alastor didn’t take it.
“A pleasure to meet you, quite a pleasure.” He said unenthusiastically, turning and continuing on with lengthy strides. Alastor’s brow pinched slightly, hoping that Vox would give up. Vox scrambled to catch up with him.
Vox switched gears from catching up to introduction upon accepting that Alastor did not remember him at all, “And yourself, sir- your reputation precedes you!” Vox dipped into his boisterous late-night television voice in a desperate attempt to stand out from the other guppies who’d tried to befriend Alastor in years past. Hopefully he could sell himself as someone worthwhile.
“Yes.”
Vox managed to stop himself just before guffawing at Alastors curtness. “How do you do it; balancing such violent power and such polite society?” Vox asked through a continued smile, recalling the frequent sightings of Alastor in kitsch, Victorian cafes, conversing with well-feathered socialites. He looked like he was straight out of a period drama.
Alastor sighed before attempting to satiate Vox so that he would leave him alone. “You must always indulge your interests, be they attending galas or homicide!” Alastor forced a light laugh, and Vox forced a laugh that exceeded both Alastor’s volume and length. Alastor grimaced.
A few awkward moments later, Vox had forgotten the list of things he’d told himself to say. Due to his coldness, Vox understood that Alastor would seek not much more than a business partnership from him. So, he gave up on finding a smooth segue into his request, “Alright, I’ll cut to the chase. I admire you, Alastor, and I would just be so grateful if we could form an arrangement,-” Alastor queried an eyebrow. “- a social arrangement. My assistance and connections for your assistance and connections.”
Alastor laughed. Vox laughed too, ignorant as to what he was laughing at. “Vox, was it?” Alastor looked at him sideways. “What could you possibly give me that I cannot already get myself?” Alastor’s timbre was incredulous and humiliating. Vox’s heart dropped with his smile, had he already blown his chance? After all of his hard work? Vox continued to walk, a little slower now, just behind the demon, eyes wide and mortified. Alastor continued to look forward before clicking his tongue, “Tsk, other than entertainment,” he muttered.
“You’ve got yourself a deal. I’ll help you in moderation, Vox, and you promise to provide ample entertainment for the people of this great ring, including myself .” Alastor sighed as he stopped again, turning to face Vox with his right arm outstretched. His antlers warped and stretched as glints of green flicked across his irises.
At the present moment, Vox was an underdog. Befriending Alastor would literally be his greatest accomplishment. An older, more established Vox, would have a contract drafted. He might’ve even given up on the friendship when being first presented with Alastor’s nonchalance and disrespect. Though, as the ‘noobie’ he was, Vox shook his hand immediately with foolish fervor.
They’d arranged for bimonthly tea-time meetings. Alastor would offer what information he’d gathered during the week, which often happened to be gossip. Vox sat through patiently as his confidant, pretending to be invested in the world of girl talk. In exchange, Vox ran broadcasting ideas by Alastor for approval and revision. He was building their relationship to a point of fondness where Vox thought he could learn about and harness the same satanic power that Alastor had: Or even steal it right out from Alastor’s nose. Alastor was just pleased to have a new person to gossip with.
Alastor was not fond of new technology, especially when learning that Vox had engineered technology that would make itself obsolete after a couple years. It was cheaper and more easily broken than the simple things that Alastor had grown up with. Thus, Alastor would not directly aid with production. He did, however, upon Vox’s request, endorse VoxTek on his radio show. In turn, Vox endorsed Alastor’s radio show on his morning show. Similarly, Alastor provided the intel he’d gathered on the sovereign overlords via Rosie, who was much more ‘in’ with that crowd than either of the men. Vox was able to offer up his company resources in deals with these powerful demons, who would thereafter be indebted to both Alastor and Vox as one unit. Alastor had the raw power and respect, but Vox had tangible, desirable boons to offer. It was symbiotic, and it worked well. Though it meant that the two spent a lot of time with each other, which turned out to not work so well for Vox…