Remote Access (Alastor x Vox)

Chapter 13

In the shadowy interior of Vox's limousine, the air hummed with the subtle thrum of the vehicle's engine, accompanied by the swell of anticipation from the crowd that spilled onto the street outside the Hazbin Hotel.

Vox, the embodiment of excitement,  smugly adjusted his tie as he eyed the sea of denizens beyond the comfort of the limo, his screen flickering with confidence.

His demeanor was a stark contrast to Valentino's languid sprawl across the plush seat opposite him. The enigmatic gleam of Vox's features illuminated the dim space, casting a glow over Valentino's perturbed expression.

He eyed Vox with a mix of surprise and amusement, his curiosity piqued despite the overarching concern in his voice. "...So you actually want to go through with this?"

Vox, not missing a beat, responded with a hint of irritation that quickly gave way to exuberance.

"Of course I do; why wouldn't I?" Vox replied, a touch of irritation flickering across his otherwise jovial demeanor, quickly giving way to a burst of ecstatic laughter. "I've got everything planned out to the last detail," he boasted, his face lighting up with a mischievous grin that promised chaos.

Valentino couldn't help but let a smirk dance across his lips at Vox's bravado. "Hehe, I love when you get cocky like this," he admitted, the playful tone of his voice masking the layer of skepticism that lingered beneath. "You really think you can outplay the Radio Demon at his own game?"

The question hung in the air, charged with the implication of the challenge Vox was about to undertake. Despite Valentino's reservations, there was a sense of anticipation—both were keenly aware of the gravity and potential repercussions of Vox's ambitious plan.

Vox's toothy smile glittered ominously back at him in the dim light. "It's not just about outplaying him. It's about showing the naive bunch he hangs around his true colors.. especially to the Morningstar brat," he explained.

"And if he doesn't take the bait?" Val probed further, leaning in, his curiosity piqued by Vox's audacious plan. "If he doesn't use the remote?"

Vox's confidence didn't falter; he simply leaned back, the gleam in his eyes betraying his absolute certainty. "I'll just force him into a reaction," he stated matter-of-factly, as if he had considered and dismissed the possibility of failure entirely, his plan evidently foolproof in his own mind.

"Alastor's pride is his weakness, after all... He won't be able to resist lashing out, and when he does, I'll be ready... Either way, he'll be the one in the spotlight, just how he likes it," Vox mused, painting a picture of Alastor's downfall with each word.

"You're seriously playing with fire on this one, Vox..." Valentino's warning came with a heavy sigh, the weight of his words tinged with resignation. "I won't be around to help you out of a tight spot if things go south for you..."

"Things going south is all part of the plan, Val," Vox reassured him, his voice carrying a hint of mystery. "Besides, this is something I need to handle on my own..." His usually cheerful expression sobered, reflecting a seriousness as he turned to gaze out the window, lost in thought.

Valentino observed him for a prolonged, quiet moment, allowing the tension to build before his features relaxed into an amused smile. "You're insane, you know that?" He couldn't suppress a chuckle, his head shaking in disbelief. "—But I'd be lying if I said you weren't the most entertaining thing to watch."

Vox responded with a broad, prideful grin, the kind that only surfaced when he knew he had an ace up his sleeve.

"Just wait, Val. By the end of the day, the dynamic between Alastor and I will have shifted in my favor," he declared, his voice brimming with self-confidence. With that, he braced himself to step out from the sanctuary of his limousine into the pandemonium awaiting them outside.