Mixed Reviews — Velvet X Reader fanfic
Chapter 2: New Nightmare
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The heavy door clicked shut behind you, instantly cutting off the relative peace of the hallway. If you thought the outside was intimidating, the inside was an absolute assault on the senses.
The dressing room was massive, smelling strongly of overwhelming lavender perfume and expensive hairspray. It looked less like a room and more like a golden tornado had ripped through a designer boutique. Diamond-encrusted wardrobe racks lined the walls, overflowing with fuzzy coats, multicoloured wigs and platform boots. The cream coloured vanity was stocked with makeup and tangled piles of diamond jewellery, accompanied by a large mirror with LED illuminated lights. And right in the center of the chaos were the twins.
Velvet examined herself in the vanity mirror with a focused expression, carefully applying her signature fuchsia lipgloss, occasionally pressing her lips tightly to even it out, letting out a satisfying smack that echoed in the room. She pouted at her reflection before closing the cap.
Veneer was comfortably sprawled on the beige coloured couch, scrolling on his phone with a neutral expression while Crimp, bless her soul, was struggling with brushing through his long hair, occasionally falling off the couch from how often Veneer moved around, yet she continued to climb up repeatedly to get the job done in silence. To be honest, she was just grateful that neither Velvet nor Veneer were speaking currently. She really didn't want to get locked in the closet for 13 hours again, so she stayed silent to avoid ticking either, but especially Velvet, off.
You took in the atmosphere of the room, awkwardly shuffling around. Did NO one in here notice me coming in? Or does no one WANT to? As you cleared your throat and straightened your cobalt jacket, Velvet snapped her head towards you and Veneer looked up from his phone, his gaze moving between you and Velvet, immediately trying to gauge what his sister was about to say. Velvet gave Veneer a brief, unreadable glance before speaking to you in a skeptical tone:
"Who are you supposed to be?"
You flinch at the cold tone, trying to remain composed:
"I- was supposed to come in for the, job interview?" For... the spot as an assistant?"
Out of the corner of your eye, you catch a glimpse of Veneer's eyebrows furrowing in what you assume was, confusion? He looked over at Velvet, who turned her head towards Crimp with another unreadable expression. Crimp immediately looked up from brushing Veneer's hair, tensing up as she looked at you, then at Velvet. With a slightly shaky voice, she told Velvet:
"You had asked me to look for another assistant a week ago..."
Veneer raised an eyebrow at Velvet and said:
"You did?"
Velvet groaned, rolling her eyes and brushing her hair while looking at her own reflection in the mirror. She replied with a dry, slightly mocking tone:
"I did. Wasn't told she'd show up today."
Velvet side eyed Crimp, who cringed and looked down at Veneer's hair, brushing it aggressively as if it could magically teleport her to a grave. Veneer quietly ushered Crimp away and sat up on the couch, watching the anxious creature hop down from the couch and stumble on her way to the broom, which, of course, was also diamond-encrusted.
Meanwhile, Velvet stared at you, seemingly analysing your look. You looked away, feeling like an animal being presented in a zoo. God, can I just introduce myself, get rejected and get out of this place?
Velvet tilted her head and an obviously forced smile spread on her face, as she turned to face you completely, walking towards you:
"Well? What are you waiting for? Sit down already, chop chop!" She clapped her hands.
Obeying immediately, you looked around for a place to sit, but the room seemed to be 80% wardrobe, 5% everything else, the other 15% apparently out the window, like their hospitality. (if there ever was any?) and Velvet glared at Veneer still lounging on the couch:
"Would you get up and let-?"
She paused and slowly turned to you, raising an eyebrow. With an impatient tone, she sneered:
"What's your name?"
You mustered all possible confidence you could gather to appear as chill as possible, even though your hands and back were sweating bullets, your heart was racing and you just now realised how tall they are, with Velvet standing right in front of you:
"Y/N."
Velvet nodded cynically, gesturing at Veneer to get up and he let out a groan but obeyed nonetheless, stumbling next to Velvet. As you sat down on the couch, Veneer whispered to Velvet in such a panicky voice, you barely understood. Not like you cared.
"Why didn't you tell me we were getting a new assistant?"
He mumbled disappointingly to his sister, who answered with a simple roll of the eyes and a quick:
"Oh, don't be ridiculous, you probably just forgot."
Veneer's face dropped in slight shock, confusion and embarrassment:
"Did I really?"
Velvet didn't reply to him, only giving him a subtle shove on the shoulder, clearing her throat and turning her attention to you.
"So, Y/N... why do you even think you would be a good fit for this job?"
Veneer jumped in and added sassily:
"Because your fit is clearly lacking" He immediately looked at Velvet, who smirked slightly and said:
"Be honest."
Oh, you wanted to roll your eyes so bad. As if he looked any better. Whatever.
"Uh, I believe I would be a good fit for you two, because I am very- hardworking and capable and-"
Velvet immediately cut you off, raising her hand and sarcastically retorted with:
"Good for you!"
"Thanks?" You replied in a confused manner. Seriously, WHAT is their problem?
"Hm. You seem more competent than Crimp from what I can merely see, which I like. But I don't know if you're good enough to work with us. You'd need a whole new makeover." Velvet stated, casually running her hand through your hair and examining it.
"Yeah, a COMPLETE makeover." Veneer added.
You looked around, feeling very awkward yet again. ? Letting out a quiet sigh, trying to ignore Velvet toying with your hair as if you were a doll:
"I mean, I guess I'm fine with a makeover if it- means I get the job? Listen, I- really need it. It would mean a lot to me if I get it. I'd do my best, i promise.", you explained, trying to read their expressions.
Veneer softened a bit at the slight plea, looking at his sister, who seemed to remain guarded. He bit his lip slightly and suggested:
"Maybe we could, try? I mean, I don't think she'd be as bad as Cramp- Crimp! As Crimp. And if she sucks, we can just fire her, y'know??"
He bounced slightly, gripping her arm slightly. Velvet pondered a bit before eventually agreeing, declaring you as their new assistant.
You were incredibly relieved, immediately thanking them and reassuring them about their decision and Veneer smiled briefly, Velvet just looked towards Crimp, who confusedly muttered:
"Uh, does this mean I- got fired?"
"Well no, you can have multiple assistants, CRIMP.", Velvet barked snarkily, staring at the orange creature as if it lacked a brain. (Does Crimp even have a brain? Like, literally.)
"Oh- okay, cause I- y'know I- just thought- uh, because you- uh-", Crimp stuttered, as she scrubbed the floor in a quick, clearly anxious motion.
Jeez, what have they been doing to this poor, thing?
The twins blinked at Crimp, Velvet rubbing her scalp in annoyance and Veneer raising an eyebrow.
"Crimp, you can stop now..", Veneer muttered, feeling a wave of secondhand embarrassment wash over him. But honestly, that was just the effect Crimp had on people.
The orange mop-like creature dropped the mop and stumbled away from the scene, Velvet rolling her eyes at her:
"Seriously, how can someone be SO annoying?"
"Eh, she's barely a someone.", Veneer mumbled, making Velvet let out a snort.
"Anyway, new assistant- how about you make yourself useful and carry these bags to our car, hmm??", She ordered, drawing it out the last word.
You turn towards the bags she was pointing at, which looked like, shopping bags? Shrugging it off, you carry the bags outside with a slight struggle on the stairs of the massive building but deciding not to argue. Who KNOWS how much energy you need to conserve to deal with these two?
"C'mon, Veneer!"
Velvet gestured for him to follow her outside, as she exited the dressing room. He eagerly followed, however- she stopped him.
"Did you get him?"
"Who?"
"Who? What, are you an owl? You know who. Now go!"
Veneer hesitated and looked at the lone crystal perfume bottle on the vanity with the exhausted Floyd inside.
"Vel, don't you- think it's been enough? He looks horrific!"
"Enough? Veneer, we're JUST getting started. And I'm not leaving without him, so PULL up those big boy pants of yours and go get him!", Velvet snarled, getting increasingly more impatient.
Veneer sighed deeply, strolling over to the vanity and carefully scooping the bottle up in his hands, as if it made things any better. He couldn't really read Floyd's expression, but honestly? He didn't even want to.
Velvet raised an eyebrow, looking him up and down.
"Well? Come on!"
The younger twin hesitantly looked at the troll in the perfume bottle and then finally started following Velvet out, the door clinking shut quietly.
As they made their way out of the building, Veneer looked at Velvet, whispering softly:
"Are we gonna tell her? I mean- we told Crimp..."
Velvet turned to him with a blank expression:
"Well, Crimp is weak and we know Crimp wouldn't say a thing, 'cause?"
"She's- weak?"
"Yep! But we don't know this.. new girl. So, no, we won't tell her, okay? You can keep a secret, right? You've been doing it- not so well, but you've been doing it!"
"Thank- you? I guess?", he replied.
"So, just- keep acting the way you already do and she won't figure out a thing! 'Kay?", The green-haired girl responded confidently.
Veneer nodded, trying to mirror her confidence as they reached the front door and stepped out into the cool breeze of the night, ready to go home.
You have been waiting for a while, leaning impatiently on the car and immediately stepping away when you see the twins walk towards the car. Politely, you open the door for both of them, to which you received a small "Thanks" from Veneer and a brief glance from Velvet. However, any reaction from Velvet is thoroughly appreciated so you didn't think too much of it.
Stepping into the driver's seat of the luxurious car, getting ready to drive- the reality of the situation sank in. You're working for Velvet & Veneer! Driving them home! For now, it hasn't been too dramatic, but who knows.
