Vox sighed, having stayed at the hotel for over three months, he was used to order of things.
Sure, he did miss going outside and doing things he liked, like partying and all, but it beat having Valentino running his way. Not only was he able to defend himself, but he had Charlie on his side, so that made things easier protection wise.
While he still had his doubts about this redemption thing, he was hoping it would work. Even if he didn't get out of hell this year, he was hoping sometime in the future he'd be able to leave. At this point, Vox was hoping that Charlie's idea would end up working, as unlike most overlords, he wasn't content with his afterlife despite having all the money and power.
It was nice having those things, but knowing you'd be stuck in an endless pit for eternity assuming you don't get caught in the extermination did make even the strongest feel hopeless. Even Vox had to admit he didn't like being in Hell at times, as while he was free to engage in any act and get away with it(for the most part) it felt like there was no escape.
Unlike Velvet or Val, he genuinely wished he could go to Heaven from time to time.
Though he had already died in the 50's, this was basically his second chance. Even if he didn't leave at the end of the year, he was hoping that in the future he'd be given the chance to leave Hell once and for all.
As though he didn't talk about it often, Vox had left behind a lot when he died. He was still in his early thirties upon death and lived a corrupt life of basically stomping on others to get ahead and rise to the top and be a CEO, of which he considered a necessary evil to survive.
Vox left behind a lot of friends upon death, as he wasn't expecting a TV to come crashing down on him out of nowhere and kill him instantly. With his time in hell, Vox often did wonder what became of his associates while he was alive, as they had to have died sometime after him.
'Most likely, they either fell down here but died sometime during an extermination, lived their lives as nobody demons or they went to Heaven.' Vox considered it likely that all three happened to at least his circle of friends.
Though for the group of friends that made it to heaven, Vox was hoping that if Charlie's idea worked, he'd be able to reunite with his old friends.
And if it didn't work, at least it was a safe place from Val, so it wouldn't be a complete loss if it failed.
Still, everything was going fairly well. Slowly, but surely, even the behaviour of others had improved.
Husk was starting to cut back on his alcohol consumption and wasn't' a complete drunkard. Angel Dust was cutting back on the drugs and had managed to go an entire month clean despite how moody he was about it. Alastor and Vox, while not close to liking each other, had at least tolerated each other enough to where they could be in the same room without breaking out into a fight and weren't at each other's throats completely.
Charlie was happy with the progress, as everyone was SLOWLY cutting down on their negative behavior. Compared to the first day, it was a steller improvement.
Even Vaggie couldn't deny everyone was at least TRYING to get along with each other and that things were less chaotic, though she still is not trusting of Vox, her dislike had toned down as the months progressed. He hadn't done anything negative yet outside of being hostile towards Alastor, and that was to be expected, so she wasn't too concerned about him.
Suddenly, Niffty looked outside the door and asked,"Hey guys, can I ask something?"
Everyone looked up, Husk being the one to reply,"Hm? Sure I guess, what is it?"
"I'm not trying to start a panic or anything but do you guys know why there's a red limbo outside the hotel? It's like parked right in front pavement.'
Angel paused, looking scared before regaining his composure,"Lemme see, Niffty." Angel peaked through the curtains of the window, trying to remain hidden."Shit, shit, shit! Fuck! He's here!"
"Who's here?" Vaggie asked.
"Valentino! My boss, he's here!"
"Why would he be there? What business does he have?"
"Well I'm technically his business!" Angel shouted,"Fuck, Idont rember doing anything too bad though. I mean, I may be cutting back on the drugs but it shouldn't warrant him COMING at our doorstep!"
"Why would n't take drugs be that big of a deal, Angel?" Charlie asked,"I mean it's not the end of the world or anything."
"Drugs enhance performance. But I've been hiding it so well! Why the hell would he NOW decide to come over? He's probably gonna take me back to the Studio!" Angel was in a panic and pretty much losing it. All this progress would be for nothing if Val just took him back.
"Wait...a minute. He's exiting the car! And he has a girl with him!"
"That ain't right…" Angel said,"If Val wanted me, he wouldn't bring friends with him."
"Does it look like one of Valentino's workers?" Vaggie asked.
"No, she dresses pretty formally. I don't think she works for him. Hey...wait a minute! She's that girl I saw on Vox-stagram!"
"Girl you saw on Vox-stagram? Could you be specific?" Charlie asked.
"She has those crazy pigtails and that poofy dress! Her username had something to do with cake!"
Vox paused before saying,"Velvet."
"Velvet? Whose that?"
She's a fellow overlord of mine." Vox admitted,"She's a friend...or was….I can't be sure at this point…"
"What do you mean you can't be sure?" Vaggie demanded,"Is something going on? Cause it must be a big deal if she and Valentino are here."
"No…"
"Is there something you're not telling us?" Alastor asked."You seem quite quiet…"
"None of your business, Alastor."
"Well obviously it is if your friends are coming at our doorstep. Not sure what they're here for, but I have the feeling that Angel isn't who they're after…And I sincerely doubt they are here to check in either…"
Suddenly…
KNOCK KNOCK!
Charlie stared at the door, debating whether to open. With the way they parked their car, it was unlikely Valentino and Velvet would leave without her confronting them. Still, the way Angel panicked and Vox's silence/slight fear did make her question if she should.
Charlie took a deep breath before pulling on the door.'Here goes nothing, lets see what they want…'
