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Robert kneeled over the fresh grave of his love. Anthony was a cheerful, carefree soul, but sadly his lifestyle opened him to other unpleasant aspects. He’d always said he would quit the powder. Ricky saw him struggling with it, and knew he needed as much support to stay sober. But when the mob boss, who happens to be the father of your lover, orders you to go to Vegas to set up shop, it’s hard to say no. Especially difficult to hide a relationship if the kid follows you.
Ricky should have tried harder to get them both out. Out of the town and out of the criminal life. It could have worked. Save enough money, get new identities, get on a bus to anywhere. But he never moved fast enough and by the time he returned, he found himself alone in the world.
Anthony lost his sister, and that was the final straw. Losing Molly, and Ricky so far out of reach, Anthony clung to an old familiar “friend” and within the month, he was gone. Ricky was nearly destroyed. But he couldn’t follow Anthony. Ricky always dreamed of traveling, and he had hoped Anthony would come with him on his adventures. So Ricky made a promise to Anthony, at his grave, to try and live on. To try to accomplish his dreams. If he couldn’t be with his love, he’d live for him.
—
The first year in Hell was…well, Hell. The last thing the demon, formerly known as Ricky, remembered when he was alive was fleeing from some punks, with his ill-earned winnings. He felt a blow to the back of his head before it all went dark. The next thing he knew, he opened his eyes to realize he was looking up at a red sky, as he was quickly falling to the ground. He struggled in a panic, trying to find something, anything, to grab onto or catch his footing. But as he was finally able to turn his head to the rapidly approaching ground, he suddenly felt a sudden push of air, dramatically decreasing his speed. He had no idea what had happened, but he soon found he was no longer falling but more like gliding downward, at a wild speed. By the time he landed, he found himself in a city full of unusual creatures. He had no idea where he was, what had happened, or why he looked different. Ricky did not understand at first why he was a feline now, or why he had the wings, which saved him from an unpleasant crashing. But looking in a mirror, he did soon understand some of the irony, at least, of his new form. The images on his ears and wings resemble cards he would hide on himself, to win each hand. And he even realized his new cat form was also a punishment. Often when he was alive, he’d hussle random marks, and he could try intimidating his opponents from calling him out. But in this new place, new body, no one would take him as a threat. It was a humiliation made for him.
His first year, he joined a gang. He learned long ago, when in a new and hostile place, there are better chances of surviving in a group than on one’s own. He wouldn’t call the gang his friends, but they were good enough for now. They were small timers with big dreams of running the entertainment district. They had a modest gambling ring, and Husk made his way through the ranks, starting as a dealer. He soon made himself known to be an expert in reading people, and able to get the gang more cash. And, with his skills in sleight-of-hand, he earned extra money as well.. It was a suitable place to start. To survive. It gave him a little sense of security. Until his first Extermination Day.
On that day, everyone was bunkering down, avoiding the streets, if they could. Trying to find shelter to stay off the exorcists’ radar, before their arrival. The gang was not so fortunate. Their so-called “safe house” (which was just an abandoned, boarded up squatter’s nest) was infiltrated hours before the day was done. One of the fleeing sinners broke into the building, seeking shelter, but was followed by an angel who chased him down into the house, finding a number of vulnerable targets. Most of the gang tried to flee, and some fought, but none of them survived, except for one sinner. He was lucky enough that, thanks to his cat form, he was able to squeeze into a tight ventilation. He heard the screams, but could not move or turn to see. He stayed there the rest of the day, and only when he heard a loud boom outside, and movement that sounded like standard foot traffic return. Only as it seemed life resumed in the city, did he dare to venture out. He found the entire house a massacre, with his former crew dead. He was sure those who fled to the streets were also less fortunate than him. But tragedy bred opportunity. Now being the sole member left, he had unopposed access to the gang’s safe and profits. He’d still have to see what was left of their territory, but now he could make something of himself.
Enough to start anew.
—
After the massacre of his colleagues, he began his hold on the territory. With him controlling the money, many of the surviving workers quickly fell in line. Those who challenged him, he quickly struck down. After some time, Ricky was long gone and he went by the name Husker.
He regretted that he never recognized Anthony the first few years of arriving in Hell. Granted, a lot was happening, and Anthony wasn’t quite the man he was back on Earth. Still, Husk felt he should have made the connection sooner. The porn star’s picture was plastered on billboards and posters all around the city, and featured in so many commercials. Now with new spider features, but still had some features the Husk could recognize. Like Husk, Anthony went by a new name, Angel Dust. The cat demon was baffled, finally having the chance to find his love again.
The first time he actually saw Anthony, or Angel Dust, he saw him leaving a bar with a cyclops girl. The two were having a laugh, and Husk wanted to say something, but he was stunned by seeing his former lover. It had been so many years, and they were so different now, he had no idea what he could even say. Or even if Anthony would remember him. He didn’t even know if it would be better or worse if he did remember. Before he could continue following them, the two seemed to make a run, as a series of explosions went off around the neighborhood.
At first, he thought better to leave Angel alone and just continue his business. Yet, a few weeks later, Husk needed to see him again, and waited outside the studio, where it was known that Angel would be filming. Again, he kept his distance and hoped to catch a glimpse. The man he knew had a new life now, and survived for so long in this place. The last thing he wanted was to interfere if Angel was happy.
Angel walked out, seemingly alright, but Husk immediately saw a split lip and a fading mark on his wrist. Before Angel was even five feet away from the exit, a tall bug demon, who resembled a pimp, called him back and Husk watched him walk cautiously back into the studio, as the pimp roughly grabbed Angel by the arm and pulled back into the building.
—
Husk would have tried to kill the demon, who he now knew as Valantino, if not for a member of his new gang, talking him down. It was during the conversation, she told him that Valentino was an Overlord: a powerful, influential, demon in the city. Being informed of what power both Val and his associates, the Vees, had, Husk realized he’d never be able to get close to Angel through force. Even if Angel remembered him, and wanted to leave with him, the star would just be dragged back by his owner and punished. It was a known fact that Val was not just Angel’s boss and pimp, but was the holder of his soul. And if Husk wanted to free him, he needed to make himself just as powerful and respected.
The new group he had built was no longer a simple gang, but was growing into a real business. He got enough money and strength to secure a cheap building and set up shop there, as a gambling den. The neighborhood wasn’t the best, but it made for highly available real estate to grow his business. It was a start.
—
A decade passed, and business was booming as he soon began to expand. Shortly after he purchased his second building, was when he collected his first soul. Some racoon demon gambled himself into a hole, and had no way out. Husk had become tough, been known to send thugs to painfully remind those in his debt of what they owed. Those who skip out trying to avoid paying him back would be beaten within an inch of their afterlife. Benefit of being in Hell, no bookie needed to settle on simply breaking legs to send a message. And if things got too far, dead sinners would eventually come back to life and he’d find them again to see if they were prepared to square the debts.
But this demon had gone far too long without paying back what he owed. He’d be working for countless years before he’d be considered square with the casino owner. It was when he was dragged into the head office, where the demon actually begged Husk to take his soul as collateral. To sell his soul and be free of debt. For Husk to provide some sense of safety or protection. The gambler had nowhere to go and no one to turn to. He borrowed money from too many unsavory characters, with nothing to return, so his soul meant nothing to him. Husk wasn’t quite sure what to do at first, as no one had ever made such an offer. But Husk learned souls were of high commodity in Hell, and he might as well join in adapting to this alternate currency. Husk spoke to the weary soul and discussed the terms. With a handshake, they sealed the deal. Husk felt an overwhelming sensation flowing through him in that moment, before it settled down. He set the sinner up in a lodge of his establishment, got the proper funds to pay off debts to the other loan sharks, and he contemplated the new feeling of power.
Husk wouldn’t understand this new power until half a year, and many souls, later. The amount of souls he gained was modest compared to those of overlords. He never considered himself an overlord, but just a businessman, trying to make it in the Pentagram. But that changed one day. While he was out, a gang of sinners, who resembled ticks and mosquitos, entered one of his establishments, shooting up the place, demanding money. Husk returned in the middle of the robbery. He grew very angry at the robbers, especially as they insulted him, saying a cute cat had no place in the city. Before they knew it, Husk began growing bigger, teeth sharper and claws longer. More tiger than cat, he easily crushed one to the robbers. Some began shooting at him, but his wings provided him protection, deflecting the bullets. Using his tail, he swiped at a few more robbers, squashing them against the wall. A couple more robbers took shelter behind some pillars. Husk, not willing to damage his structure further beyond repair, shrank back down, and instinctively pulled out some cards. He snuck up behind one of them and embedded a card into the creature’s forehead. Before the last thug could react, the Husk threw another card, which glowed green, and at a high speed, it took off the criminal’s head. With the last of the robbers dead, Husk surveyed the damage to his establishment. The look of awe and surprise and respect from the formerly cowering patrons and workers was enough of him to finally see, he was becoming a big player in the city.
His thoughts were confirmed the following week, when he was approached by a woman, working for an overlord named Carmilla Carmine. She was a well-known arms dealer and highly established overlord, so Husk knew well to treat her associate with some respect. The overlord wanted to establish a trade agreement with him: money for weapons. After the display he made from the robbery, it also revealed Husk needed security for establishments, when he could not physically be there. The following year, he’d get his first invite to a meeting with other overlords.
—
Thirty years since he died, and he was one of the big shot overlords of the city. He now gambled both in money and in souls, but still, there was one soul he desired more than anything. But like any skilled gambler, he knew better than to show his hand.
And like a poor gambler, there were some wages he could not resist making. Such as when he had his limo pull up to the spider demon, clearly working the street corner.
It was true, Anthony was not shy with flirting, at least for him, when they were alive. But Angel’s flirting seemed almost aggressive. Husk knew should have just kept on driving, yet he offered money for the company of the porn star. To Angel’s surprise, it was not going to be a quick jump in the sack he hoped. Husk was not the typical john he was used to. Instead, he took Angel out to a bar. They sat in the booths as Husk ordered them something to eat. Angel was still confused about the overlord’s goals, and more than once made a move for his dick, before being pushed away. But he certainly wasn’t gonna turn down a free meal. It would save him money for more crack.
Husk didn’t want lust, he wanted romance, and in his moment of weakness, he was willing to settle for the deception of romance. Angel decided to just play along as a “date” as Husk was paying, regardless. The two began talking. It took an hour and several drinks, but eventually they both opened up a little. They spoke about their first year arriving in Hell, fun activities they developed, and any pets. Husk couldn’t help but poke fun at the name Fat Nuggets, but Angel was very firm defending the pig’s name. Husk could tell Angel really loved the pet, seeing how he lit up talking about it. The hours went by, and Husk drove Angel back to his corner. And Angel told him he looked forward to next time, almost knowing there was gonna be a next time.
And he was right. Every date, the overlord would dress down, and pick up Angel for a night out. They got to know each other more as these exchanges went on. Angel told his story, being discovered by one of the Vees, having both a job and place to stay, rent-free. Angel seemed very proud of the fame he got, but Husk could also see Angel make an unconscious move or flinch when the topic of his boss, Val, came up.
Then one day, after another “date,” Angel asked Husk out. But Angel did say that, for an overlord, Husk was not what he expected. Angel told him he was tired of seeing Husk look so restrained and needed a night to let loose. Taking up as a dare, one date Husk went with Angel for a night of fun with Angel’s friend, Cherri Bomb. She was on guard towards the overlord, speaking to him boldly and disrespectfully, but Husk realized very quickly that it came from a place of love and care for Angel. Once the interrogation was over, and the three had some drinks, they ditched the bar they were hanging out at and Cherri took them to another place where they could blow off some steam. It was a very chaotic scene, going into a battlezone area in the Doomsday District. But it was also fun in its own way, just being able to both cut loose and team up for a night of total discord. Husk knew he could easily end their current skirmish with a move, but he was rather enjoying holding back, working with both Angel and Cherri. He’d never seen Angel look so content as he did when the fighting was over.
One date, Husk took Angel to a nightclub. It was not so seedy like other places, with a bar and dance floor. The two had fun, making jokes and sharing memories, and then a song came on. Angel took Husk’s arm and dragged the begrudging cat onto the dance floor. The movements seemed wild at first, as Husk tried to keep up with the actor. But soon the two found themselves almost in sync to each other’s movements. Husk knew the moves well, as he still held onto those precious memories of when they danced in another life, while Angel had no idea where his moves came from. Nor did he really care, as they let the music take them. Husk gathered Angel into his arms, and he saw a look of total content on his partner’s face, as he held him close.
Of course, the onlookers began making comments, snapping photos of the scene they made, and the two had to break away. With such a spectacle, there was no avoiding the inevitable. It would be no surprise that the media would blow it up, that an overlord was all cuddled up with Hell’s most famous porn star.
Angel seemed to be nervous as they left, but assured Husk he’d be alright. Husk asked if there was anything worrying him, but Angel still told him everything was fine. Angel chose to take a cab back to the Vees tower, leaving Husk to drive back alone.
It wouldn’t be for a few days, when Husk found Angel again. In some dark alley, getting high. Husk grabbed Angel, seeing him now out of it, promised to take care of him, though Angel seemed more resentful of such help. And when Husk offered to take Angel to his casino to rest and recuperate, Angel went into a panic, making statements he couldn’t be seen there. That he shouldn’t be anywhere near there or even near Husk.
The overlord calmed him down, assuring him they didn’t need to go to a casino, but they needed a safe place where Angel could come down. While he wouldn’t call the nearest hotel “secure”, he figured he could protect them both if anything should happen. He waited outside in the bedroom, as Angel showered off the alley grim, and came out wearing a towel.
It took a while, but Angel finally just broke down. All the pains he kept hidden. He told Husk about how Val found him, after arriving in Hell, and how he started a relationship with him. That Val would provide the drugs he could get high off of, while he got to enjoy the freeing feeling of showing off to others in strip clubs. And how things got bad the moment he signed his soul to the porn overlord.
Husk did not want to push Angel, but the confessions just came spilling out. How he’d be scheduled around the clock at the studio, performing kinks that were beginning to be more and more unbearable. How he’d be smacked around by Val for various reasons, or even no reasons other than his foul mood. And told how the demon would take him, when the mood struck him, not caring if Angel wanted it or not. And that how Angel couldn’t help but blame himself for being so stupid.
Husk held back his rage, hearing how much trauma Anthony endured. And feeling guilt that perhaps if he made different choices, his lover wouldn’t have ended up alone in Hell, vulnerable to predators. He did not say this, but, with Angel’s permission, he held the man close.
They stayed the night, eventually falling asleep. When they woke up, Angel thanked Husk for all he’s done, before telling him that the reason Val hurt him was because of the picture of them together at the club. Angel said his boss thought he was going behind his back to another overlord for protection. That he didn’t properly appreciate all he’d done for the star.
Husk decided to speak with Angel, opening up that he cared for him deeply. That if he had the power, he could find a way to protect him. And before they left the room, Angel leaned down and the two shared a simple kiss.
Husk decided to accelerate his plans, and made some calls.
—
It was finally time for Husk to make his move, and get what he wanted since before falling into the pit. It was the grand opening of another one of his casinos, and he invited all the big names in the city to join. The casino would be his biggest crowning jewel of his establishments. A hotel for guests to stay and rest before returning to the floor, weekly events for entertainment, big named stars. During the grand opening, fireworks could be heard throughout the whole city. And he invited all the major overlords of the city. With displays of grandeur, he was practically daring the others to attempt to match such glory, be it in outfits, accessories, or even souls. Husk only needed to hope a specific overlord took the bait.
It was no surprise Camilla was first on the scene. Husk and her worked together to secure the premise with such a guest list expected for the night. Her arrival was a sign of confidence in her efforts. She was joined alongside Zestial, an overlord that scared almost everyone just by first glance. Others appeared soon: Rosie, accompanied by some fellow cannibals, and escorted by the mysterious upstart overlord, Alastor, who Husk had only briefly met from time to time.
Finally, a limo belonging to the Vees pulled up, and Husk discreetly held his breath as he waited. The door opened, and out walked Valentino, smiling for his audience, with Angel, now dressed in a pink cocktail dress, and wearing glittering jewelry. Val pulled Angel by the waist, close to him as he made his way to the entrance. Showing off his “prize”. Vox followed behind them, with his assistant trailing, as Vox was speaking about upcoming business projects. Luckily for him, Velvette chose not to make an appearance.
The overlords and their respective entourage were gathered on the upper floors, at a private room with an open bar, and poker tables. They spent about an hour, socializing, drinking, easing up, before Husk asked them to join him in a game of poker. The stakes would be simple: whatever the player had on hand could be wagered. It started off slow, getting to know the players, as Husk took effort to learn their tells. He also needed to be sure the one he wanted would stay in the game, until Husk was ready.
Rosie stepped away first, more a socialite than a gambler. She played a couple hands and walked away, slightly richer. Alastor was a player Husk was genuinely concerned of, with only his eyes able to express anything telling. But luckily, Vox took care of that concern, as they seemed to keep one another occupied, until Alastor chose to step away with all of Vox’s winnings, satisfied for now. The night grew late, and Zestial and Camilla stepped away as well.
Throughout the game, Husk snuck a look at Angel. The sinner’s dress was lovely and he was all dolled up to hang onto Val, as a trophy to show off. But Husk also saw the split look of panic, each time Val lost a hand. Or the way Angel subtly flinched when his master touched him. Husk admired how Angel held such strength to continue on after years working for such a creature.
It was finally time. It took some doing, but Husk finally had Val where he wanted him. And it was time to play. The two made wages back and forth, until finally Husk had the hand, and went all in. He knew that with the number of chips, Val wouldn’t be able to match, and thanks to Husk’s policy, only the currency on hand could be waged. Val either had to fold and be humiliated in front of his peers, or wage the last thing he had on him: Angel’s soul.
Husk played the role well. Not seeming eager to accept the soul as collateral. But with Val’s boosting of Angel’s value as a star, and the subtle taunt that he was aware of their late night dates, Husk accepted the contract, and it was time to show their hands. Val laid down his card, a Three-of-a-Kind, in Kings. And Husk wiped away that cocky smirk, showing a Straight in Hearts.
As Val screamed foul play, Angel almost lost his footing, but Husk was right there to catch him before he could hit the floor. While Val was being escorted out for bad behavior, with Vox not far behind, Husk had one of his workers take Angel to his office. He also immediately called a few of his employees to pick up Angel’s things at his former residence, including a pet pig. Husk saw to his Overlord guests, thanking them for a great game as they left. Husk went to check on Angel, informing his night manager that he’d be looking after the “new employee” before getting some well-earned shut eye. On the elevator up, Husk texted Cherri about Angel’s new employment status as well as new lodgings. He left an open invitation for her to visit, should she want to see him. Last thing he wanted to do was pay for a new wall because a crazy chick was searching for her bestie.
He arrived at his office, seeing Angel sleeping on his couch. After such a long and eventful night, the spider just could not stay awake. Husk took off his jacket and put it on the sleeping man. Angel stirred, and Husk placed his hand on his love’s cheek. “It’s okay, Anthony. I’ve got you. You’re safe, and I won’t let go again.”
Eventually he would tell Angel everything he knew. Remind him of their history. But for now, this was enough.