Keeping Vox off-balance was key to this whole plan-- rivals though they could be, Alastor would not be so arrogant as to write off Vox's intelligence when he had a cool head. But anger or confusion could keep him from making rational decisions, and that was usually when Alastor gained the upper hand.
"I'm here to do you a favour, of course~"
He's not. The furthest thing from it.
But his response is irritatingly chipper and vague, knowing it will dig under Vox's skin and hoping the curiosity of what Alastor could possibly be offering as a favour will do enough to grant him this meeting without it ending in bloodshed.
It's a gamble, and a careful tightrope to walk - Vox's anger has him grabbing Alastor by the coat and dragging him closer, absolutely glowing in anger.
"A FAVOR? The fuck kind of FAVOR do you think you have to offer me, you outdated, chopped-up has-been?"
White hot pain flares as he’s dragged inwards, searing his chest in sickening angelic agony. It’s sheer will alone that keeps him from showing it visibly, determinedly keeping his posture straight, his ears in a neutral position, and his smile as nonchalant as possible.
He doesn’t fight back, merely grins right into that snarling face so close to his own.
“Why, I’m here to save your life.” Alastor’s words practically hum with dark amused laughter that undercuts his sentiments. “I’d be delighted to discuss it with your further. In private, if you would.”
Saving his life? Why the fuck would Alastor give a shit about saving his life? This bastard threw down just as hard last time they fought, after all-- it was fucking clear their friendship had been shattered and turned into mutual murderous intent.
Wasn't it?
Alastor's internal radio equipment was likely buzzing from Vox's befuddled, hurt, and furious signals. He was never very good at being a closed book - everything out on display, after all.
With anger, Vox shoved Alastor back, retracting the cords into his body and reducing the electricity to an angry crackle. "You have five minutes."
He had asked for privacy, but he supposes now that the demon at the front desk has fled, this will do. Besides, he has a feeling Vox will hurry him into a side office somewhere when he takes in what Alastor really has to say.
Alastor had taken his time to come up with a strategy before he came here, a way that he thought he could still twist this so he came out of it relatively unscathed. If he simply waited at the hotel for others to make a move, it's possible that both his life and reputation would be at risk. While he is weakened this way, both from the wound on his chest and to his powers, it's likely another Overlord could overpower him in a straight fight, and he would rather not test that hypothesis.
So... it was time for the delicate dance of proving he was still a force to be reckoned with.
Showtime.
Alastor raised one hand in a half shrug, his voice remaining light and even as he continued, his expression that same unnerving smile as always. A smile, such a useful tool, he really hoped Charlie would take his advice about that someday.
"I am sure you know that Angel Dust has become quite the popular fellow at the hotel, almost the poster boy for redemption? I'm rather afraid it won't be long before our darling Charlie loses patience with the other claim on his soul, especially as I believe that their meeting did not end on a particularly harmonious note."
Was Vox even aware that Charlie had visited the porn studios and had an interaction with Valentino? It's irrelevant, if he didn't before, now he does. And even if he doesn't know the details, Vox knows Val and how badly a meeting like that was sure to go. Of course, Charlie would never dream of getting herself or her father involved in Angel's life without an invitation, Valentino is in no danger that Alastor actually knows about, but Vox doesn't need to know that.
"Now, I don't much care if three Vees become two, but such a move would destabilise Pentagram City at a time when it rather needs to be pulling together. And fortunately for you, that destabilisation would also work against my current interests. So here I am, to do you a favour and assist in saving your little cabal."
God fucking damn it, VAL. Vox glowers, and there's a rare moment of silence - only insofar as he's scouring his connection to Valentino's studio to verify what Alastor's claiming. And-- god. Fucking. DAMN IT. VALENTINO.
If the princess wasn't such a fucking ditz then he'd suspect she set the studio on fire on purpose. But Lucifer... he's off his ass and will come to his daughter's aid, and if this came up...
God fucking DAMN IT, VALENTINO.
"And what exactly can you do about this? Just because you're working on the Princess' stupid little project doesn't translate to you having any sway over whether or not Lucifer decides to act on this."
Alastor felt a tiny internal flame of relief when Vox took the bait, though he was careful not to show it even by the smallest change in his smile. It was vital that he maintain rigid control if this were to play out the way he needed.
"Charlie listens to me, and our Royal Highness listens to his daughter."
That, at least, is true. Lucifer is pathetically wrapped around Charlie's little finger - if she said no killing, he wouldn't kill. It's probably the only reason Alastor himself is still alive, but Vox doesn't need to know that.
"Believe me, I am quite assured of my influence with our princess."
Alastor's voice crackles with static on the word influence, his smile glowing briefly green as his grin hitches manically. It's a clue, a tell, that what Vox had feared at the beginning had come to pass - a deal between the princess and this smiling freak.
Oh, Vox wants to kill him so SO fucking bad. Wants to shock him dead, blow up that stupid radio staff, strangle him with cables, wants to claw open his guts and break all his bones.
Calm down. Fucking hell, calm the fuck down, go back to your happy place, that recording of Alastor getting fucked up by Adam and running away like a pussy.
Exhale.
"Why? No fucking WAY you give a shit about destabilizing Pentagram City, not after your own fucking debut here, people STILL don't shut up about how much you changed the place," he growled - fuck, just a bit more effort and they'd be saying that about the Vees, too... but not if one of them was snuffed out by Lucifer. Their reputation would be trashed. "Why the fuck are you even here in the first place?"
Is Vox really still so annoyed that Alastor had gained such infamy and the Vees hadn't yet managed to make the same sort of waves? His time shaking up the foundations of the City was many years ago now, and since then Vox had become a powerful ruling Overlord in his own right. It's pettily amusing he's so hung up on this.
He curls his clawed fingers a little more tightly around his cane, the tips of his smile almost at his eyes.
"If you don't want my assistance, then I'll see myself out. I look forward to seeing how a tripod fares with one leg cut off."
"Y̸̢̳̽̀̐̾̚ͅO̸̮̩̾̆̃͒̏̈́Ú̶̻̥̬̦̳̿͂ ̵̗̝̝̀̽̔̌̇͠ don't ģ̵̡͖̠̰͒̔̇e̸̟̬̯̐t̶͙̗͍͆̐ͅ to just WALTZ in here and WALK OUT A̵̢̺͇̞̠̎L̴̨̹̣͖̽̄͒A̸̧̓͂S̷̨̾͘͝T̵̰̪̬̪̈́̿͆̿̄̚O̵͔͗̇͘͝R̵̢̠͚̞̥͂̇̈̚ͅ," Vox snarled, jabbing his finger into Alastor's chest, fully aware of where he was jabbing. He didn't fucking care if it was healed or not.
"Now answer my ffffFÙ̶̱C̸̮͆K̶̺͠I̵̗͒N̷̜͌Ģ̶̒ question-- why are you bothering to warn us? Why are you coming in here all buddy-buddy after everything??"
Honestly, he should ask himself the same question - sure, there would be potential repercussions to killing the Princess' favorite little pet, but Alastor came to his territory, he could possibly argue self defense. So... why wasn't he just tearing Alastor apart, right now, when the timing for it was perfect?
The only indication that Alastor felt any pain from Vox jabbing at that particular spot, is a tiny pop of static in the air, and the barest narrowing of his eyes. It feels like fire, an infuriating weakness, but all the pain does is motivate him further to get this done.
"I have already told you why, a pity if you didn't listen."
He reaches up and catches hold of that jabbing finger, the first voluntary contact he's made with Vox in many years.
"My current plans do not include a wish for destabilisation. Now that Extermination Day has passed, the eye of judgement will fall closer to home. I will be blunt, if I may? Valentino's days are numbered, and only I can do something to change that."
Vox didn't withdraw his finger, distracted by peering into Alastor's face, trying to find some hint of untruth. That was the most frustrating part of Alastor... you could never fucking tell with him, he'd always bury the lie somewhere in the nugget of truth in any situation. Bastard. Clever, brilliant bastard.
There were... possibilities... on how to wiggle the Vees out of this situation. But if the princess had been bothered enough to tell Alastor, then she'd be bothered enough that Lucifer might get involved.
Ugh.
"What are you getting out of this exchange, exactly?"
Alastor's smile turns sharp and deadly, a predator on the hunt, and the low hum of radio static surrounds him as regards his old rival.
"Naturally I would expect some compensation for putting forward such considerable effort-- what do you say to a little Deal? Oh, don't look at me like that, nothing too onerous. In return for the Vees receiving my protection with our royalty, you will agree to do some work for the hotel. Under my authority."
"...Seriously? That stupid hugbox that almost got you killed? You didn't even stick around to defend it, you ran off like a fucking coward," Vox challenged, angry and with every intent to bite into Alastor's miserable pride.
The barb does its job, digging in deep. Not even necessarily because he ran, Alastor would rather survive above all else, but because his vulnerability and weakness had been witnessed.
A low buzzing hum fills the air, shadows seem to grow a bit darker on the ground, but the moment of danger passes before it can be truly harnessed.
"If you're not interested, I shall leave you to your fates with my apologies for wasting what little time you have left."
Vox grabbed onto Alastor's shoulder, claws digging in - nowhere near as potent as the angelic wound, obviously, but Alastor's anger just fueled Vox. Maybe Alastor needed his help because of how much he fucked up. And more importantly.
"You know, I think I will say yes. Because then I'll have a front row seat to seeing you get completely fucked all over again when Heaven gets back off its ass."
The claws in his shoulder seem, for a moment, to go completely unnoticed and unremarked upon... before tentacles suddenly erupt from shadow beneath them in an attempt to skewer the offending arm in multiple places.
"Excellent."
His tone is at odds with the way his antlers have lengthened slightly, with the way he is shredding that arm that dared to touch him. He holds his own hand out, the glow of green energy swirling around his claws slowly.
Alastor pulls his hand back sharply before any contact can be made, a small warning buzz of static and a flash of radio dials in his eyes, he's not about to agree to such damning new wording of the deal. Support the Vees as such a generic statement? Ha. No.
"In exchange for my support of Valentino's continual survival, you will support the Princess' hotel under my management."
Always on his toes! That's what made haggling a pain. But making a Deal with Alastor was always damning... the fucker always found the back doors, the upper hand.
He won't let the scales be so imbalanced. Alastor is lucky to be alive right now, his confidence aside. "Keep the Vees off of Lucifer's radar, and I'll help with the Hotel for as long as you're helping it."
He can respect Vox for at least attempting to haggle with him, most are too intimidated by the time a Deal is ready to be struck. But he still cannot agree to that changed wording, mostly because he has no control over what the Vees do themselves and how their actions might get them onto Lucifer's radar.
"Should the Vees appear on Lucifer's radar, I will use what influence I have to ensure any retaliation is non-lethal, and in return you will assist with the Hotel under my leadership for as long as I am helping with it."
Vox doesn't need to know that Alastor's influence with Lucifer is literally less than zero, and in fact if he said not to hurt the Vees then the King might annihilate them just to annoy Alastor.
If Alastor's influence is no good, well, at least Vox has this office recording - distorted though Alastor's image might be on it, it'll be undeniable that Alastor knew about the misdeed and hid it from Lucifer to begin with. If the Radio Demon fails then he's coming down too.
"Shake on it and g̶e̸t̶ ̵t̶h̸e̸ ̵f̵̨̨̧̨̨̧̧̢̛̹͕̼̜̮̞̯̬̠̼̩͚̲͕̬̻̪͉̠̲̣̘͚̘̺̻̟̱̳̭̭̰̙̗͖͖̥͚̟̯̖̮̗̖̜̦͉̝̫̻̙̣̝͓̼̞͎͎͗́́̽̉̑͛͆͊̇̿̓͋͌̈́̂̎̽̈́́̍̋͆̃̍̽͋̂̃͊͝͠͝͝ͅͅų̵̨̢̧̢̨̢̡̛̛̳̟͕̘͇̟̩̞̤͍͖̪͉͖̰̳̥̰̺͖̰͔̫͈̯̱̦̟̭̙̥̘͉̯͕͉͖̰̘̙̣͙̰̞̞̮̮̹̲̣͍̫̝̔͒͋͗̎̌͛͌̑̂̒̎͋̈́̍̓͑͛̾͊̌̀̆̓̕͘͝͠͠ͅͅĉ̵̛̳̒̀̉̍͑́͐̅̈́̌̾̉̏̈́͝ķ̵̢̺̼̦̦̥̲̻̮̲̖̮͔̟̺̞͖̖̣̣̠̠̦̰̤̝͕̙͍͔̪̙͚͉͖̜̻̜̬̤͓̟̜̈̐̇̐͒̅͂͌̓̎́̎̑͗͛̊̈́͊̉́̇̐̉͑́̃́̀̽͋͆͐͆̑̋̊̽̉̍̋̈́̇́̈́͌̏̈̀́̾̀͐̄̊̉͒̔̒͐̕̚̚͘̕̕̚̕͘͜͠͝͠͠͠͠͝ͅͅ ̵̗̤̞͇͕̓͒̍͑̎ǫ̵͈̗͙̺̮̃ú̷͙̩̻͈͉̗͊̌͑̔̂̃͗t̴̨̟͕̯̩̤̘̤̟͒̃̃̓̀̋͜ ̶̣̺̓̈́̍͝͠o̴̤̼̪͆̂̕͝f̸̡̣̞̑̈͒̇̇͑̓̅̚ ̷̢̓̐m̸̢̙͉͔̰͇̽ỷ̴̹̐͑̓ ̷̧̮̥̼̀͋̈́̽̓͂̈͜t̵̗͎̝̤̱͕͎͍̫̖̐̈́̎̅ơ̵̪͇͈͇̲̯̺̜̊̎̂̆ͅw̷̡̢͙̠͇̪͎̄̃̔̉̓̆͊̿̕͝ͅé̶̗ṛ̴̨̦͕̖͙̼̼͘."
There’s a burst of energy as the Deal is made, voodoo green and crackles of electric blue collide, two powerful Overlords in one binding contract. The air smells acrid, like burned out wires, and Alastor feels a part of him internally rejoice. This is one of the best days of his afterlife and if he were the sort to skip, then he might very well skip back to the hotel in delight.
Instead, his smile only grows to the point where it's nearly splitting his face in two, stitches seeming to hold it high at the edges.
"When you report to the hotel tomorrow at nine, do make sure to call me sir."
Ha! And with that last jab at the fact Vox foolishly agreed to work under Alastor's leadership, he melts down into shadow and disappears.
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no subject
"I'm here to do you a favour, of course~"
He's not. The furthest thing from it.
But his response is irritatingly chipper and vague, knowing it will dig under Vox's skin and hoping the curiosity of what Alastor could possibly be offering as a favour will do enough to grant him this meeting without it ending in bloodshed.
no subject
"A FAVOR? The fuck kind of FAVOR do you think you have to offer me, you outdated, chopped-up has-been?"
no subject
He doesn’t fight back, merely grins right into that snarling face so close to his own.
“Why, I’m here to save your life.” Alastor’s words practically hum with dark amused laughter that undercuts his sentiments. “I’d be delighted to discuss it with your further. In private, if you would.”
no subject
Wasn't it?
Alastor's internal radio equipment was likely buzzing from Vox's befuddled, hurt, and furious signals. He was never very good at being a closed book - everything out on display, after all.
With anger, Vox shoved Alastor back, retracting the cords into his body and reducing the electricity to an angry crackle. "You have five minutes."
no subject
Alastor had taken his time to come up with a strategy before he came here, a way that he thought he could still twist this so he came out of it relatively unscathed. If he simply waited at the hotel for others to make a move, it's possible that both his life and reputation would be at risk. While he is weakened this way, both from the wound on his chest and to his powers, it's likely another Overlord could overpower him in a straight fight, and he would rather not test that hypothesis.
So... it was time for the delicate dance of proving he was still a force to be reckoned with.
Showtime.
Alastor raised one hand in a half shrug, his voice remaining light and even as he continued, his expression that same unnerving smile as always. A smile, such a useful tool, he really hoped Charlie would take his advice about that someday.
"I am sure you know that Angel Dust has become quite the popular fellow at the hotel, almost the poster boy for redemption? I'm rather afraid it won't be long before our darling Charlie loses patience with the other claim on his soul, especially as I believe that their meeting did not end on a particularly harmonious note."
Was Vox even aware that Charlie had visited the porn studios and had an interaction with Valentino? It's irrelevant, if he didn't before, now he does. And even if he doesn't know the details, Vox knows Val and how badly a meeting like that was sure to go. Of course, Charlie would never dream of getting herself or her father involved in Angel's life without an invitation, Valentino is in no danger that Alastor actually knows about, but Vox doesn't need to know that.
"Now, I don't much care if three Vees become two, but such a move would destabilise Pentagram City at a time when it rather needs to be pulling together. And fortunately for you, that destabilisation would also work against my current interests. So here I am, to do you a favour and assist in saving your little cabal."
no subject
If the princess wasn't such a fucking ditz then he'd suspect she set the studio on fire on purpose. But Lucifer... he's off his ass and will come to his daughter's aid, and if this came up...
God fucking DAMN IT, VALENTINO.
"And what exactly can you do about this? Just because you're working on the Princess' stupid little project doesn't translate to you having any sway over whether or not Lucifer decides to act on this."
no subject
"Charlie listens to me, and our Royal Highness listens to his daughter."
That, at least, is true. Lucifer is pathetically wrapped around Charlie's little finger - if she said no killing, he wouldn't kill. It's probably the only reason Alastor himself is still alive, but Vox doesn't need to know that.
"Believe me, I am quite assured of my influence with our princess."
Alastor's voice crackles with static on the word influence, his smile glowing briefly green as his grin hitches manically. It's a clue, a tell, that what Vox had feared at the beginning had come to pass - a deal between the princess and this smiling freak.
no subject
Calm down. Fucking hell, calm the fuck down, go back to your happy place, that recording of Alastor getting fucked up by Adam and running away like a pussy.
Exhale.
"Why? No fucking WAY you give a shit about destabilizing Pentagram City, not after your own fucking debut here, people STILL don't shut up about how much you changed the place," he growled - fuck, just a bit more effort and they'd be saying that about the Vees, too... but not if one of them was snuffed out by Lucifer. Their reputation would be trashed. "Why the fuck are you even here in the first place?"
no subject
Is Vox really still so annoyed that Alastor had gained such infamy and the Vees hadn't yet managed to make the same sort of waves? His time shaking up the foundations of the City was many years ago now, and since then Vox had become a powerful ruling Overlord in his own right. It's pettily amusing he's so hung up on this.
He curls his clawed fingers a little more tightly around his cane, the tips of his smile almost at his eyes.
"If you don't want my assistance, then I'll see myself out. I look forward to seeing how a tripod fares with one leg cut off."
no subject
"Now answer my ffffFÙ̶̱C̸̮͆K̶̺͠I̵̗͒N̷̜͌Ģ̶̒ question-- why are you bothering to warn us? Why are you coming in here all buddy-buddy after everything??"
Honestly, he should ask himself the same question - sure, there would be potential repercussions to killing the Princess' favorite little pet, but Alastor came to his territory, he could possibly argue self defense. So... why wasn't he just tearing Alastor apart, right now, when the timing for it was perfect?
no subject
"I have already told you why, a pity if you didn't listen."
He reaches up and catches hold of that jabbing finger, the first voluntary contact he's made with Vox in many years.
"My current plans do not include a wish for destabilisation. Now that Extermination Day has passed, the eye of judgement will fall closer to home. I will be blunt, if I may? Valentino's days are numbered, and only I can do something to change that."
no subject
There were... possibilities... on how to wiggle the Vees out of this situation. But if the princess had been bothered enough to tell Alastor, then she'd be bothered enough that Lucifer might get involved.
Ugh.
"What are you getting out of this exchange, exactly?"
no subject
Alastor's smile turns sharp and deadly, a predator on the hunt, and the low hum of radio static surrounds him as regards his old rival.
"Naturally I would expect some compensation for putting forward such considerable effort-- what do you say to a little Deal? Oh, don't look at me like that, nothing too onerous. In return for the Vees receiving my protection with our royalty, you will agree to do some work for the hotel. Under my authority."
no subject
no subject
A low buzzing hum fills the air, shadows seem to grow a bit darker on the ground, but the moment of danger passes before it can be truly harnessed.
"If you're not interested, I shall leave you to your fates with my apologies for wasting what little time you have left."
no subject
"You know, I think I will say yes. Because then I'll have a front row seat to seeing you get completely fucked all over again when Heaven gets back off its ass."
no subject
"Excellent."
His tone is at odds with the way his antlers have lengthened slightly, with the way he is shredding that arm that dared to touch him. He holds his own hand out, the glow of green energy swirling around his claws slowly.
"Then we have a deal?"
no subject
"In exchange for you supporting the Vees? I'll financially and optically support the Princess' project. Deal."
no subject
Alastor pulls his hand back sharply before any contact can be made, a small warning buzz of static and a flash of radio dials in his eyes, he's not about to agree to such damning new wording of the deal. Support the Vees as such a generic statement? Ha. No.
"In exchange for my support of Valentino's continual survival, you will support the Princess' hotel under my management."
Now he offers his hand again.
no subject
He won't let the scales be so imbalanced. Alastor is lucky to be alive right now, his confidence aside. "Keep the Vees off of Lucifer's radar, and I'll help with the Hotel for as long as you're helping it."
no subject
"Should the Vees appear on Lucifer's radar, I will use what influence I have to ensure any retaliation is non-lethal, and in return you will assist with the Hotel under my leadership for as long as I am helping with it."
Vox doesn't need to know that Alastor's influence with Lucifer is literally less than zero, and in fact if he said not to hurt the Vees then the King might annihilate them just to annoy Alastor.
no subject
If Alastor's influence is no good, well, at least Vox has this office recording - distorted though Alastor's image might be on it, it'll be undeniable that Alastor knew about the misdeed and hid it from Lucifer to begin with. If the Radio Demon fails then he's coming down too.
"Shake on it and g̶e̸t̶ ̵t̶h̸e̸ ̵f̵̨̨̧̨̨̧̧̢̛̹͕̼̜̮̞̯̬̠̼̩͚̲͕̬̻̪͉̠̲̣̘͚̘̺̻̟̱̳̭̭̰̙̗͖͖̥͚̟̯̖̮̗̖̜̦͉̝̫̻̙̣̝͓̼̞͎͎͗́́̽̉̑͛͆͊̇̿̓͋͌̈́̂̎̽̈́́̍̋͆̃̍̽͋̂̃͊͝͠͝͝ͅͅų̵̨̢̧̢̨̢̡̛̛̳̟͕̘͇̟̩̞̤͍͖̪͉͖̰̳̥̰̺͖̰͔̫͈̯̱̦̟̭̙̥̘͉̯͕͉͖̰̘̙̣͙̰̞̞̮̮̹̲̣͍̫̝̔͒͋͗̎̌͛͌̑̂̒̎͋̈́̍̓͑͛̾͊̌̀̆̓̕͘͝͠͠ͅͅĉ̵̛̳̒̀̉̍͑́͐̅̈́̌̾̉̏̈́͝ķ̵̢̺̼̦̦̥̲̻̮̲̖̮͔̟̺̞͖̖̣̣̠̠̦̰̤̝͕̙͍͔̪̙͚͉͖̜̻̜̬̤͓̟̜̈̐̇̐͒̅͂͌̓̎́̎̑͗͛̊̈́͊̉́̇̐̉͑́̃́̀̽͋͆͐͆̑̋̊̽̉̍̋̈́̇́̈́͌̏̈̀́̾̀͐̄̊̉͒̔̒͐̕̚̚͘̕̕̚̕͘͜͠͝͠͠͠͠͝ͅͅ ̵̗̤̞͇͕̓͒̍͑̎ǫ̵͈̗͙̺̮̃ú̷͙̩̻͈͉̗͊̌͑̔̂̃͗t̴̨̟͕̯̩̤̘̤̟͒̃̃̓̀̋͜ ̶̣̺̓̈́̍͝͠o̴̤̼̪͆̂̕͝f̸̡̣̞̑̈͒̇̇͑̓̅̚ ̷̢̓̐m̸̢̙͉͔̰͇̽ỷ̴̹̐͑̓ ̷̧̮̥̼̀͋̈́̽̓͂̈͜t̵̗͎̝̤̱͕͎͍̫̖̐̈́̎̅ơ̵̪͇͈͇̲̯̺̜̊̎̂̆ͅw̷̡̢͙̠͇̪͎̄̃̔̉̓̆͊̿̕͝ͅé̶̗ṛ̴̨̦͕̖͙̼̼͘."
no subject
There’s a burst of energy as the Deal is made, voodoo green and crackles of electric blue collide, two powerful Overlords in one binding contract. The air smells acrid, like burned out wires, and Alastor feels a part of him internally rejoice. This is one of the best days of his afterlife and if he were the sort to skip, then he might very well skip back to the hotel in delight.
Instead, his smile only grows to the point where it's nearly splitting his face in two, stitches seeming to hold it high at the edges.
"When you report to the hotel tomorrow at nine, do make sure to call me sir."
Ha! And with that last jab at the fact Vox foolishly agreed to work under Alastor's leadership, he melts down into shadow and disappears.