Chapter Text
Prologue - Short on Change
"I'm Lux Imperator" Mr.Ring-A-Ding said in a gravelly voice, a tone not commonly used by the toon folk in Mr.Ring-A-Ding's universe, unless they were a villain. Lux intentionally did it when it fancied him. He had a flair for the dramatic and Rue, a fellow villain, would eat it all up.
Rue, a gorgon barmaid, was not scared. Mostly just confused by what Mr.Ring-A-Ding was trying to say. A bad joke most likely. He was more of a singer and dancer than a comedian. Her eyes crossed despite her leaning back in surprise to fully observe his now menacing face and proud way he stuck out his chest.
"Um..Whatever floats your boat pal. Uh I mean, Lux. " Rue quiped, accentuating the 'L' in Lux's name.
Twisting her black painted lips to one side quizzically, Rue side-eyed the snake head at the end of her ponytail. The two shared a look, concluding that Mr. Ring-A-Ding had enough foamy drinks for the night.
"Psh!," Mr.Ring-A-Ding scoffed, then gestured at himself, up and down with open palms. His voiced slurred and defeated. "Look at me."
Mr.Ring-A-Ding looked down at his hands. He was stuck in a cartoon. The pantheon had fallen but he still felt judged in comparison to his former peers. He didn't look intimidating, regal, or strong. This was actually getting to him. Perhaps it's thanks to the alcohol he used to fill the empty cold hole in his core.
"Aw you're a fine looking guy, Mr. Ring-A-Ding. There's no need to go changin' and all. I mean… I like you just the way you are! Cheer up!" Rue reassured, fixing up his bowtie.
She liked to keep him smart and neat.
"Change?" His expression brightens.
"I prefer paper." She corrects.
"No- Uh thanks for keeping me company tonight, sweetheart," Mr. Ring-A-Ding quickly gathered himself up."So long!"
"Oh? Already?" With both hands she catches the wad of cash he tosses her way, slipping it into her blouse sleeve with a sleight of hand. Mr.Ring-A-Ding was in a hurry, Rue cooed at his retreating back as she followed. "Same time tomorrow?"
"No," Mr.Ring-A-Ding stops just short of exiting the speakeasy to look up at the night sky. She too stops, suddenly face to face with his stern back, an aura of resolution coming off him. It's been a while since she's seen him like that, in the past he wouldn't have even glanced her way. Mr. Ring-A-Ding was busy bringing joy and song to all the other townsfolk in the more favorable side of the town. It was refreshing to see him so animated. "I'm not coming back."
"That…sounds… pretty final," Again her and the snake share a glance, saddened by the news. "Well," Brushing dust off his shoulder and back, then craning her head around to give him a quick peck on his cheek. "I guess this is good-bye then… Lux."
Softly, his blue fingertips touch the black lipstick on his cheek. Still not turning to look at her. Rue waited. As they stood silent, the two felt the cold of the gentle night air, one more than the other. Pursey, the snake attached to Rue's head, snuggled her neck.
Lux was ready to leave his identity as Mr.Ring-A-Ding and the world contained in a short five minute film behind. When he first arrived, there was the option of leaving the Mr. Ring-A-Ding tied up in the basement of his home. Lux thought it would be too much work and he did feel for the poor goofy sap. It was better to just possess Ring-A-Ding and parade around as him. Lux would still need his body to leave the toon world, fortunately doing that would split them apart. Making him a doppleganger of sorts. It would leave a fully restored original Mr.Ring-A-Ding behind, none the wiser of what transpired.
To whoever it concerned, Mr. Ring-A-Ding was sleeping within Lux's mind. Awaiting to reawakened to another beautiful day of dancing and singing flowers. Once Lux left, Mr.Ring-a-Ding may never even set foot at the speakeasy where Rue the gorgon preyed on her wealthy victims. The original Ring-A-Ding wouldn't even know Rue's name, but she would remember him and that he liked to be called Lux.
"I was never Mr.Ring-A-Ding, Rue. I'm the dazzle at the heart of the pantheon, the glint in the eyes of the mad, the last light anyone sees when they fall into the abyss." He spins around to face her. "I am the god of ligh—" Lux's speech is stopped by her thumb wiping the lipstick stain on his cheek. Witnessing her softened eyes for what seemed to be the first time, as she was more of a lighthearted person.
"A god, huh? Well, ain't that a bite." She said chuckling to herself, Lux could understand how ridiculous it sounded to a toon who lived her entire life in a small town where nothing really happened unless Mr.Ring-A-Ding set off a trigger of events. "I think I get what your saying. We've been great buds for a while now, wouldn't ya say? I only just learned your real name, but… I'll miss ya."
Gorgons like Rue know their gods, it's a complicated business made of cruel unforeseen decisions no mortal has opinion over. This is why Lux liked Rue out of the barmaids at the speakeasy. She knew how to treat a guy like a god. Lux revealing himself did not come as a mindnumbing surprise to her, he did strange things. It however dawned on her, how another cruel god deigned to look her way only to flip her world upsidedown. She knew Lux — now by name, but she only knew Lux— Not Mr.Ring-A-Ding.
Without a word Lux turned away from Rue, and walked into the night.