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“Remind me why you dragged us – or rather, me – here again? I do have an actual job, you know.” Angel protested as he stepped into the clothes shop with the others.
“Oh, yes. Public fornication. Your family must be so proud.” Alastor mocked as he examined the nearest rack of attire, a look of distaste suddenly replacing his trademark smile. “No no no, this will not do. Everything here is so trendy and....modern.” He added with a shudder.
“It is time to get your wardrobe updated, grandpa. That old timey bullshit that you choose to wear really is not fashionable any longer.” Angel Dust shot back, still smarting from Alastor's insult.
“I do not dress solely to please others. I have more confidence – and self respect – than that.”
“What the hell is your problem today?”
“Problem?” Alastor echoed, tone completely innocent. “Whatever do you mean by that?”
“You know exactly what I mean, radio demon. And I am not standing for it any longer.”
“Is that a threat?” Alastor asked, eyebrows raised.
“Maybe it i---unffff.”
Angel did not get the opportunity to finish his challenge because Husk promptly shoved a nearby scarf into his mouth in order to shut him up. After all, Alastor owned Husk so he was fully aware of how dangerous he could be. He would happily slit throats with that same smarmy smile upon his face. Husk did not want Angel to have the same fate. He cared far too much about him for that.
“What the hell, Husk?!” Angel exclaimed once the scarf had been dislodged from his throat. “You are supposed to be on my side.”
“Oh, so there are sides now?” Alastor asked, a note of annoyance in his tone.
“No no, of course not.” Husk quickly responded with a flurry of denials.
They were supposed to be having a fun shopping trip and already it had descended into chaos and they had barely even browsed any of the wares yet.
“Hmmmm.” Alastor murmured but made no further comment.
“Ooooh, look at this!” Charlie chirped excitedly, completely oblivious to the awkward atmosphere in the air. “This would suit you perfectly, Vaggie.” She added, gesturing to the sweater she had spotted; it was bright orange with a pumpkin motif.
“I...uhhhhh.....yes, I guess.” Vaggie responded, not wanting to upset her partner. It was not that it was terrible per se, but it just seemed so cliché and..well...gaudy.
“And I found this one too!” Charlie continued, unaware of Vaggie's true opinion on that particular garment.
She could be a very oblivious character at times, especially when she was caught up in one of her passions. She was so focused on the clothing that the increasingly sour mood emanating from her friends did not even register on her radar.
This time she was brandishing a scarf that had bats decorated upon it. “This is so cute! I think I shall purchase this for myself.” She said cheerily.
“Whatever floats your boat, little lady.” Lucifer chuckled.
“Says the man obsessed with ducks.” Alastor retorted.
“And what is wrong with ducks?” Lucifer asked, frowning now.
“Let's just not go there.” Charlie said, noticing the tension at last and trying to keep the peace. “We are supposed to be here to unearth new outfits, not to argue.”
“Did you really expect us all to come here as a group and there not be arguments of any kind?” Angel Dust scoffed.
“He has a point, you know.” Vaggie agreed.
“Fine.” Charlie pouted ever so slightly. “But can we keep it to a minimum...please?” She asked, fluttering her eyelashes.
“Okay then.” Vaggie replied, immediately succumbing to her charms. “I will keep these lot in line to the best of my abilities.” She added, serious now.
“Oooh, I'm so scared.” Angel taunted her, grinning broadly.
“You should be.” She answered, shooting him an intense glare that would have frozen any other being to the spot in terror.
But not Angel.
“If you want to get out of here so you can go back to “work” then I suggest that you just comply.” Husk suggested. Like Charlie, he was in no mood for any altercations.
Not today, at least.
“Ugghhhhhhh.” Angel groaned. “As much as it pains me to say, you are right. So. What am I supposed to be wearing?” He asked, staring straight at Charlie as he did so. His look was full of expectations.
“Hmmm.” Charlie muttered to herself as she plucked various pieces off of the rail. “How about....this?” She suggested, raising a flannel shirt into the air.
“No. Just....no.” Angel Dust responded in a disgusted tone. “That particular pattern does not flatter my figure.”
“Does anything?” Vaggie commented unkindly. She did not mean the insult, she simply wanted to leave as soon as possible and this dilly dallying was starting to get to her.
“Rude. You are just jealous that I have a figure to die for. Literally. Whereas you are plain and...flat.” Angel added, gesturing to her chest.
“Angel!” Charlie chided. “That was completely out of line. Vaggie is absolutely gorgeous in every regard!”
“Well, you would say that. You are the one bon---”
“Angel. Enough.” Charlie half threatened and half pleaded. “We need suitable autumn attire. All of us.”
“But what is your definition of 'suitable'?” He asked her.
“Basically the opposite to what you happen to place upon your person.” Alastor commented.
“What are you insinuating?”
“I am not insinuating a thing. I am merely stating fact.”
“You are just envious. All of you.” Angel snarled before storming off.
“Angel!” Charlie called after him but he ignored her completely, exiting the shop in a huff.
“One down, a few more to go.” Alastor mused.
“Alastor, did you rile up Angel on purpose just so you could leave here sooner?” Charlie asked, aghast.
“Perhaps.” Alastor answered honestly, grin still in place.
“I think that maybe this whole endeavour was a bad idea.” Vaggie said. “Meaning no offence to you, sweetie.” She added, disliking the sorrow that was now in her girlfriend's countenance.
“I...think that you are right.” Charlie confessed, voice strained. “Shall we just go?”
“I believe that it is for the best, unfortunately.” Vaggie told her. “But the day is young. We can still salvage it with other, more interesting activities.”
“Sure.” Charlie agreed, utterly defeated. “Come on everyone, time to depart.”
“Let's go!” The others – with the exception of Vaggie – chorused cheerfully.
“Next time we need new attire, let us just go the two of us, eh?” Vaggie said softly.
Charlie nodded but stayed silent. This fun outing had been turned into an utter disaster within a depressingly short space of time and she was currently experiencing waves of both disappointment and despair washing over her body.
“Yes.” She managed to say weakly, once they were back on the way to the hotel. “Next time it can be just you and me, Vaggie.”
“Speaking of which, I know what will cheer you up.” Vaggie said.
“What?” Charlie asked, desperately trying to summon up some enthusiasm but falling flat.
“You will see.” Vaggie replied, grabbing Charlie by her hand and practically dragging her back home. She knew exactly what would brighten her girl's mood and was eager to implement it.
After all, Charlie's actions were borne of kindness more often than not and it was a great shame that some people took that for granted. And Vaggie vowed to herself that she would never be one of them.