As outright embarrassing as some of the holiday party misadventures have been, Hellaina has to admit that there’s something significantly more enjoyable in the staff parties in Hell than there ever had been in life. Better company too.
She takes a sip of her drink, stepping from the conversation she’s been having, as it trailed away. It hadn’t exactly been invigorating before that.
“Vesper,” she greets, raising the glass in a mockery of a toast. “How nice to see you. Better even, to see that you disregarded your mother’s… suggestion for what to wear,” She eyes the outfit approvingly. “I think this is much better,”
Pinch Perrada laced his pointed, magenta-red fingers in front of his face, feeling pleased that Vesper arrived on time. Pinch was an Imp of even more unpredictable behavior than usual for his kind.
He could be composed. He could be clever. He could sound intelligent in one moment, then cursing up a storm in the next. He could be brave, or he could be cowardly; it wasn't uncommon for him to be spotted zooming away from an angry mob.
"Pleasure meeting with you, Vesper." The way Pinch said her name was odd, as if tasting it, savoring the final flavor on his tongue.
He cleared his throat, his swaying tail betraying some of the nerves he was currently feeling, the thick spade disturbing neglected dust upon the floor of his haphazard office.
"Ain't no rest for the wicked, am I right? So, can you help me out?"
"Most people are idiots, to put it bluntly. There's a reason they can be pacified with Spendy's cheeseburgers and reality tv marathons, because they're practically cattle. Even the ones who manage to get ahead are only there through family connections, patronage networks, that kind of thing."
"That's what makes someone like Vesper a diamond in the rough. Competent, smart enough to really appreciate luxury, ready to go for the throat at a moment's notice. I'm lucky there aren't that many more like her in Hell, because otherwise my competition would be a lot fiercer. All the more reason to have her on my side...."
⌞ 📲 Ves: Ves, Hey Ves ⌝
⌞ 📲 Ves: Are you coming? ⌝
four hours later. . .
⌞ 📲 Ves: why you not here? no here? ⌝
⌞ 📲 Ves: I M FELIN SAROGD⌝
⌞ 📲 Ves: someone needZ A la wyer ur my friES ⌝
two hours later . .
⌞ 📲 Ves: NEEDT HALLLFEFFF ⌝
⌞ 📲 Ves: VVVVVVVVVV ⌝
⌞ 📲 Ves: uuu C UM heTE⌝
⌞ 📲 Ves: GBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB ⌝
“ Well. ” She begins, clicking her tongue. “ It’s that time of the year and you know I don’t really like spending my money. ” An interesting way to open, considering the neatly wrapped package resting in her hands. “ Still. ” She continues, unbothered. “ If we’re going to keep associating, it’s only fair you rise to my level of elegance. ” Not that Vesper doesn’t appreciate a snug cowboy fit, but she wouldn’t complain about seeing Striker in the tailored suit she’d commissioned specifically for him. / merry sinmas & xmas to both 🥺
Striker was used to Vesper's behavior by now. How she acted alone with him compared to others. If anything, it amused him to see her get upset with him when he decided to drop by at a moment's notice just because he felt like it. No call, no text, no warning, just a sudden visit on a whim because he liked the fire in her eyes and how scared her employees were of him. Still, he had his reasons for sticking around this long. It's become routine at this point; these visits he makes.
However, whatever it entailed usually ranged from the mundane to outright surprising. He never really knew what he might get from her. How the conversation might go when he decides to swing by, except he wasn't visiting her office this time around. He knows now to at least warn her when it comes to her personal space. The sudden text sent her way before he's minutes away from knocking on her door. The whole spiel like he always did, though he wasn't coming in bleeding.
Nah, he had a bigger reason to be here than that as he'd make his way inside. Take his usual spot along her couch with a grin as things only begin from there. The conversation soon shifts after a while, and he can't help but raise a brow. Though he realizes why when he sees the package in her hands. Where'd that come from? He doesn't ask out loud, but he listens at least. Several thoughts are running through his mind as it's the first time in a long time he's received a gift.
Yet he doesn't let it shake him, as he takes the package from her hands and begins to unwrap it. "Y'act like you don't like whatcha see, but I know you do." He jokes as he continues, until nothing stops him. That's when he opens the box to find a suit. Striker was a little taken aback by this. Hell, even getting a gift in general already had him feeling something, but this? He pulls it out halfway to look at it fully.
He doesn't say anything for a long while, just touching the material and looking at it in his hands as he can not only feel but also see how expensive it is. She spoke of money earlier, knowing how much they're fueled by such greed. Two different jobs yet one goal. . . and she went all out and spent it on him. Funny how similar they were.
He looked up at her and smiled. Not a grin or a halfway one, but a genuine smile towards her. "Hm, never thought I'd see the day ya'd go outta yer way to spend some money on me, much less on somethin' expensive like this. Somethin' cheap I'd be alright with, but this? Now ya went all out. " A chuckle leaves him before he settles and puts the box aside, before leaning over and hugging her. "Thank you for this Ves. Girls."
Being sure to give her snakes the same little attention before letting go. "But, I didn't exactly come here just to talk either. I got ya'll some gifts too." Getting up now to head out. "They're out with Cali right now. Let me get 'em." He then walks out to his horse, leaving Vesper alone with her snakes and her thoughts.
Metal show, for sure. It's not the kind of environment that encourages good conversation, but Drack goes to a lot of these: going to gigs and performing gigs is a huge part of his life, and he loves when his partners either go to one with him, or come to see him perform. If you can't handle sweaty crowds, loud music and mosh pits, then you're probably not the person for him.
That's not to say he'll completely write you off if it's not something you enjoy, buuuut it'll certainly put you at an advantage if it is!
