"Thaaaat's right, I remember seeing your name climbing up, Chandler!"
Was your name Chandler? Whatever, it's Chandler now!
"In that case, I think I have just the thing for you. See, I've got this little diva director - such a pain in the ass, aren't they always? - and he's been begging for a shining star to fill the main role. Ringing me off the hook every day, even! And I just don't think that Alastor is the right fit for that kind of role, but you? I bet you've got the right chops."
"It's 'Blaze', sir. Short for 'Starblaze'?" he offered hopefully.
However, his grin widened and his tail wagged. A role that Alastor didn't have the right chops for? A chink in the armor! Old bastard couldn't play every role after all!
"I'd be happy to step up, sir," he said with clearly false modesty.
Here was his chance to prove himself to the Boss and knock Alastor off the top spot! That busted old radio couldn't keep it forever!
----------
Meanwhile in the dressing room, Alastor groaned and sat up, bringing a hand to his head. Pings were stabbing at his aching brain like needles, but they weren't signals being sent directly to him from Vox. No, they were phone notifications chiming away like tinkling gunshots.
He slowly pulled his phone out of his pocket, sitting up as he tried to get his bearings. He was...what was he doing again? He was at some gig but which one?
He turned on the screen, looking down at his lockscreen of Vox from one of his advertisements, the company motto burning into his retinas:
At VoxTek, perfection is our brand. Trust us.
Four digits never felt so exhausting as he tapped out his passcode. He swiped down to see the alerts.
His blood froze.
Project after project alerted as "Reassigned".
"No! No no no no!" He kept swiping through the alerts before clearing them all and going to his calendar.
Most of his carefully-balanced schedule had been cleared.
"Starblaze, perfect! I'll let Travis know you're taking the role and I'll forward your information to Valentino. Good luck, bud!" Vox finally let go of the actor, giving him a hearty pat on the back before cleanly breaking to engage someone else in conversation, oblivious to the shitstorm brewing backstage.
Starblaze paled. "V-Valentino?! Wait! Sir! Boss! Please reconsider! I'm sure Alastor would be waaaay more qualified in that role!"
Everyone knew the hasbeens were sent to Valentino to squeeze every last drop of money out of their dwindling popularity.
----------
A sane and rational man would take the clearing of his schedule and a trunk blocking his door as a sign to get what rest he could before he was thrown to the dogs. Particularly when he was running on fumes and cocaine.
Alastor was neither sane nor rational at the moment. Instead, he took a few minutes to have a good cry. Then he shoved the trunk out of the way, struggling for every inch.
He swapped his now-sweaty jacket and shirt for something else that would match in the dressing room before sitting down in the makeup chair. His hair and face was a mess.
Clean off the old makeup. Ignore the haggard appearance hiding beneath it. Start fixing your hair. Then you can apply new. He forced himself to lose himself in the simple rhythm of routine.
"Zeezi, my dear, you made it!" Vox loudly greeted, ignoring Starblaze following and begging behind him. It's clear he's done with the conversation, kid - now he's talking to a fellow Overlord.
"Don't call me 'dear', call me Zee. This party blows, Vox, it's so pretentious," Zeezi gave a toothy smirk, tapping the floor with her hooked claw. Vox chuckled, unphased. "Where's your boyfriend? He sang and then just up and vanished."
"Not my boyfriend, I'm afraid! Oh, I've got him working to the bone, the little workaholic!" Vox chuckled, practically feeling Starblaze losing his shit nearby and relishing in the sadistic pleasure of it. He did not expect Alastor to be doing anything but resting, like he's supposed to be.
Once everything looked perfect, Alastor straightened his back and took a few deep breaths.
He'd had some rest. He could last the rest of the party. He could do this.
He rose from the makeup chair and left the dressing room, shutting the door tightly behind him. After a moment to get his bearings, he walked back out into the crowd.
"Alastor! Look here!" A phone flash going off.
"Oh, there you are! Marvelous performance earlier!"
"Where did you disappear to?"
Alastor focused on the last question, smiling genially as another camera flash took a picture. "I was a bit sweaty from the stage lights, I'm afraid! I wanted to look my best for all of you!"
He slowly scanned the room, hunting for his overlord. There. Over by Zeezi. He could start making the rounds and working his way there.
It's Zeezi that smirks and catches sight of Alastor - which is no surprise, given her massive height. "Looks like your little remora's back on the floor."
Vox turns, and red streaks down from his mouth where he'd otherwise be composed. Oh. What the fuck was Alastor doing back out here? "Sure enough! Finished with what I put you to already, Alastor?"
Not a hair out of place. Not a quiver in his voice despite his deference.
If Vox hadn't seen him backstage, he might not have even realized that Alastor was acting perfectly well. (How many times had Alastor effectively lied to his face over these past several weeks?)
Alastor bent his head respectfully to Vox's guest. "Overlord Zeezi, always a pleasure to see you."
"Hey, Alastor. You did one grunge song in one tv cameo and then left us all hanging! When are you gonna throw out more badass singles, old man?" the dinosaur Overlord cackled.
Vox was sweeping his signal over Alastor, scrutinizing him but otherwise not impeding his performance. Yet.
Alastor's signal was very tired but still keeping up the performance as much as possible. He would do Vox proud.
At VoxTek, perfection is our brand. Trust us.
Alastor chuckled. "I'd be honored to perform another one, Overlord Zeezi, but I learned that it takes a lot of talent and skill to sing more than just one of those songs at a time. My throat was killing me for days afterward from just that cameo."
Modesty blended with a clear compliment to Zeezi and her taste in music. Grunge did take a lot of vocal work his voice box had not enjoyed in the least bit.
Zeezi barked out a laugh as Vox smirked in annoyance. What was Alastor doing, being so defiant with his clear intentions...?
"Hah! It wasn't even a full metal growl either! That's fine, you could do backup vocals on a melodic death metal track - hook up with Dark Tranquility and get something crazy going," Zeezi chattered away, all smiles.
"We can schedule something for that about a month out, Zee," Vox offered, huffing in amusement. "Whatever you wanna set up, and all. You've been so gracious with Voxtek after all." Especially now that that next month wasn't packed absolutely to the gills with appointments.
Oh, he's getting it - and if it weren't for the party, he'd be dragging Alastor to his knees by the chain and demanding an explanation for this freakout.
Well, after some playful Overlord banter, Vox walked from the conversation, expecting his 'remora' to keep tight to his side. Just a bit longer of sharing his attention, an hour at most, then he can resolve his little dilemma.
Alastor did precisely as expected, remaining at Vox's side save for one slight step behind. Vox was always center stage, after all. Alastor was an accessory. A useful accessory (for now) but an accessory nonetheless.
Walking evenly with Vox could be indicative of him thinking himself on equal footing with the Media Overlord. That couldn't be farther from the truth.
Blah blah blah, more shmoozing, more performing, more handshakes and deals and getting other Overlords to compliment him. Only 45 more minutes. Only 30 more minutes. Just a little longer to go...
When a new band hits the stage, Vox takes the chance to step to the side and get a breather.
Alastor had been struggling but masking it well. Thirty minutes of rest had done wonders in the short-term, but he couldn't keep it going forever. At least on set there was coffee.
All of the booze at the party was sure to knock him out flat after humiliating Vox.
As they stepped to the side, Alastor waited. Vox had been absolutely furious when he saw Alastor walk up. As tempting as it was, he didn't fall to his knees in front of his overlord. It'd deny Vox the pleasure of yanking his chain and only making him more angry.
Without any eyes on them, Vox gripped the chain, making it appear - but didn't yank, not yet. He's FURIOUS. He can't cause a scene. He wants to punch a hole in the wall.
"We are going to have a long conversation about work expectations and scheduling. I'm taking over your scheduling again, you clearly can't be trusted with it."
He stiffened to keep the shaking to a minimal. Vox was going to have his head on a platter. He hadn't seen Vox this angry directed at him in quite some time.
Had he been taking too many of the good roles that were meant for someone else as Alastor was to be phased out? VoxTek was always on the forefront of innovation. Vox had upgraded himself which helped reinforce that even if it wasn't the original intention.
Sooner or later, Vox was going to have someone else in his wake while Alastor would be sent to Valentino.
"You are going to explain yourself when we get the privacy to talk. So get your thoughts in order. Only fifteen minutes left," Vox warned, letting go of the chain and letting it disappear again. Fifteen minutes before things end and Vox can leave his employees to close out the venue.
Without a further word, Vox turned and returned to the party room to finish things out.
The fifteen minutes comes and goes, Vox bids a personal farewell to the Overlords and other high-ranking guests before taking his leave. With Alastor perfectly a step behind him, Vox marched further and further away from the venue. Vox's arms were folded behind his back, and the chain manifested in his hands even as they went further and further from where anyone would catch sight or sound of the impending scene.
Alastor followed. Even without the chain manifesting, he would've followed Vox anywhere.
That didn't mean the sight of it didn't fill him with dread.
Still, Vox had made him perfect. These little instructional sessions would only further refine that perfection into whatever it was the Media Overlord needed from him in the future. The fact Vox was taking his time to do this was a blessing in and of itself.
Or it could be that he was about to get completely beaten down into his base components for his disobedience. Then, after Zeezi had gotten what she wanted, it'd be off to Valentino's porn factory.
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This man? Had no idea.
"Two, actually." He grinned as he walked with Vox. Like a lamb to slaughter. "I hit Number 2 in the popularity polls last week."
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Was your name Chandler? Whatever, it's Chandler now!
"In that case, I think I have just the thing for you. See, I've got this little diva director - such a pain in the ass, aren't they always? - and he's been begging for a shining star to fill the main role. Ringing me off the hook every day, even! And I just don't think that Alastor is the right fit for that kind of role, but you? I bet you've got the right chops."
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However, his grin widened and his tail wagged. A role that Alastor didn't have the right chops for? A chink in the armor! Old bastard couldn't play every role after all!
"I'd be happy to step up, sir," he said with clearly false modesty.
Here was his chance to prove himself to the Boss and knock Alastor off the top spot! That busted old radio couldn't keep it forever!
----------
Meanwhile in the dressing room, Alastor groaned and sat up, bringing a hand to his head. Pings were stabbing at his aching brain like needles, but they weren't signals being sent directly to him from Vox. No, they were phone notifications chiming away like tinkling gunshots.
He slowly pulled his phone out of his pocket, sitting up as he tried to get his bearings. He was...what was he doing again? He was at some gig but which one?
He turned on the screen, looking down at his lockscreen of Vox from one of his advertisements, the company motto burning into his retinas:
At VoxTek, perfection is our brand. Trust us.
Four digits never felt so exhausting as he tapped out his passcode. He swiped down to see the alerts.
His blood froze.
Project after project alerted as "Reassigned".
"No! No no no no!" He kept swiping through the alerts before clearing them all and going to his calendar.
Most of his carefully-balanced schedule had been cleared.
"No no no!"
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Everyone knew the hasbeens were sent to Valentino to squeeze every last drop of money out of their dwindling popularity.
----------
A sane and rational man would take the clearing of his schedule and a trunk blocking his door as a sign to get what rest he could before he was thrown to the dogs. Particularly when he was running on fumes and cocaine.
Alastor was neither sane nor rational at the moment. Instead, he took a few minutes to have a good cry. Then he shoved the trunk out of the way, struggling for every inch.
He swapped his now-sweaty jacket and shirt for something else that would match in the dressing room before sitting down in the makeup chair. His hair and face was a mess.
Clean off the old makeup. Ignore the haggard appearance hiding beneath it. Start fixing your hair. Then you can apply new. He forced himself to lose himself in the simple rhythm of routine.
At VoxTek, perfection is our brand. Trust us.
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"Don't call me 'dear', call me Zee. This party blows, Vox, it's so pretentious," Zeezi gave a toothy smirk, tapping the floor with her hooked claw. Vox chuckled, unphased. "Where's your boyfriend? He sang and then just up and vanished."
"Not my boyfriend, I'm afraid! Oh, I've got him working to the bone, the little workaholic!" Vox chuckled, practically feeling Starblaze losing his shit nearby and relishing in the sadistic pleasure of it. He did not expect Alastor to be doing anything but resting, like he's supposed to be.
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He'd had some rest. He could last the rest of the party. He could do this.
He rose from the makeup chair and left the dressing room, shutting the door tightly behind him. After a moment to get his bearings, he walked back out into the crowd.
"Alastor! Look here!" A phone flash going off.
"Oh, there you are! Marvelous performance earlier!"
"Where did you disappear to?"
Alastor focused on the last question, smiling genially as another camera flash took a picture. "I was a bit sweaty from the stage lights, I'm afraid! I wanted to look my best for all of you!"
He slowly scanned the room, hunting for his overlord. There. Over by Zeezi. He could start making the rounds and working his way there.
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Vox turns, and red streaks down from his mouth where he'd otherwise be composed. Oh. What the fuck was Alastor doing back out here? "Sure enough! Finished with what I put you to already, Alastor?"
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Not a hair out of place. Not a quiver in his voice despite his deference.
If Vox hadn't seen him backstage, he might not have even realized that Alastor was acting perfectly well. (How many times had Alastor effectively lied to his face over these past several weeks?)
Alastor bent his head respectfully to Vox's guest. "Overlord Zeezi, always a pleasure to see you."
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Vox was sweeping his signal over Alastor, scrutinizing him but otherwise not impeding his performance. Yet.
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At VoxTek, perfection is our brand. Trust us.
Alastor chuckled. "I'd be honored to perform another one, Overlord Zeezi, but I learned that it takes a lot of talent and skill to sing more than just one of those songs at a time. My throat was killing me for days afterward from just that cameo."
Modesty blended with a clear compliment to Zeezi and her taste in music. Grunge did take a lot of vocal work his voice box had not enjoyed in the least bit.
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"Hah! It wasn't even a full metal growl either! That's fine, you could do backup vocals on a melodic death metal track - hook up with Dark Tranquility and get something crazy going," Zeezi chattered away, all smiles.
"We can schedule something for that about a month out, Zee," Vox offered, huffing in amusement. "Whatever you wanna set up, and all. You've been so gracious with Voxtek after all." Especially now that that next month wasn't packed absolutely to the gills with appointments.
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No no no no, don't start thinking like that. That'll lead to having an empty schedule and no calls at all. Focus.
Vox made me perfect. I will be perfect for him.
"I'd be very happy to do so, sir, ma'am," he said. "I'm already looking forward to working together."
He could sense Vox's displeasure with him.
He was failing. He couldn't fail. He mustn't fail. He will not fail.
Adjust his posture to ensure it was perfectly straight. Show no weakness.
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"Of course, Zee. What're you thinking, a single, or a longer project? My deer is in high demand, after all!"
"Pshh, you'll charge me every last penny if I say any solid numbers, Vox. I thought this was returning that favor you owe me."
"Don't be silly, of course it is! But if it's a longer project, well, you're cutting into my very carefully curated schedule, my dear..."
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But Vox could likely feel it in his signal as Alastor fretted away at all that filled-in time being rendered blank.
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Well, after some playful Overlord banter, Vox walked from the conversation, expecting his 'remora' to keep tight to his side. Just a bit longer of sharing his attention, an hour at most, then he can resolve his little dilemma.
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Walking evenly with Vox could be indicative of him thinking himself on equal footing with the Media Overlord. That couldn't be farther from the truth.
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When a new band hits the stage, Vox takes the chance to step to the side and get a breather.
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All of the booze at the party was sure to knock him out flat after humiliating Vox.
As they stepped to the side, Alastor waited. Vox had been absolutely furious when he saw Alastor walk up. As tempting as it was, he didn't fall to his knees in front of his overlord. It'd deny Vox the pleasure of yanking his chain and only making him more angry.
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"We are going to have a long conversation about work expectations and scheduling. I'm taking over your scheduling again, you clearly can't be trusted with it."
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He stiffened to keep the shaking to a minimal. Vox was going to have his head on a platter. He hadn't seen Vox this angry directed at him in quite some time.
Had he been taking too many of the good roles that were meant for someone else as Alastor was to be phased out? VoxTek was always on the forefront of innovation. Vox had upgraded himself which helped reinforce that even if it wasn't the original intention.
Sooner or later, Vox was going to have someone else in his wake while Alastor would be sent to Valentino.
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Without a further word, Vox turned and returned to the party room to finish things out.
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At VoxTek, perfection is our brand. Trust us.
Making a scene at the party would not do the brand any favors. He could manage another fifteen minutes.
He stood silently beside Vox, smiling pleasantly and only speaking when addressed.
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That didn't mean the sight of it didn't fill him with dread.
Still, Vox had made him perfect. These little instructional sessions would only further refine that perfection into whatever it was the Media Overlord needed from him in the future. The fact Vox was taking his time to do this was a blessing in and of itself.
Or it could be that he was about to get completely beaten down into his base components for his disobedience. Then, after Zeezi had gotten what she wanted, it'd be off to Valentino's porn factory.
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