[vox hums noncommittally, acknowledging that she's right, of course, even if he doesn't like it. he wants to do the things he wants to do when he wants to do them-- soothing nerves and keeping people settled is for his public-facing life, not his private one.
then her hand is on his arm, and he glances at it, but regrettably he is still hung up on... the susanna issue.
not so hung up that he doesn't notice alice's shifting, or hear the suggestion in her question. now, he would be forgiven if he thought... but that's ridiculous, because alice has never...
he must be imagining it. who is closer to him than poor susanna, hmm--]
Well... Diana has been here for some time.
has she not endured enough in her service of the lord
[ there's something quietly sharp in her tone, something that's never been there before. a little fuzzy maybe, just around the edges. she pauses just after, clearing her throat as though she'd had something stuck in it. ]
My apologies, I must have some allergies. But oh, Diana?
[ if he could be forgiven for such a thought, surely she can be forgiven for the edge of jealousy that's still left in her tone. ]
Father, I'm afraid I do think you're missing the forest for the trees.
[ her hand slides up, just a little. one last chance. ]
[vox glances up, brow furrowed - that sounded very much unlike his beloved sister alice, who is always patient and kind and even. and not entirely... ordinary? perhaps he's imagining that, too.
but diana is also, it seems, the wrong choice of lady, and vox is half-tempted to just start naming every good-looking woman in the congregation just to see what happens. the hand on his arm is compelling, however.]
Sister, you know no one here lives closer to my heart than you do.
[guy asking about marrying other women: you're my fav though fr!!]
[ know that, she means. she breathes a laugh, soft but incredulous, at his reasoning.
finally, frustrated, she draws herself up to her feet, moving around to the chair vox is sitting in to plant her hands on the arms of it, leaning over him with a smile much sharper than usual. ]
I've been with you from the beginning, never straying, never looking to anyone but you. How many of those women do I have to send away before you only look at me?
[ one hand lifts to grip his chin, still gentle even though the tips of her fingers are blackened and have sharp, sharp claws. her voice even lowers a bit, a hum of static rumbling under the words. ]
Father, I don't think you know what you deal with when your eyes wander.
[oh, what's going on now, what's this? vox doesn't move from his seat but his eyebrows go up, just--just waiting to see what she's doing. this certainly doesn't feel like she's about to crawl seductively into his lap, but he won't count it out, and besides, it's...
well, it's compelling, to have her lean over him like this, looking more annoyed with him than she's ever been. vox blinks.]
That was you? You could have, I don't know, said something to me.
[think of the flock! which needs people to stay for it to function! sister!!]
If I didn't... [he trails off, gaze darted down to the state of her hands, brow furrowed. what? actually, what? she even sounds different again, like-- uh.
objectively, vox knows he should be worried about something like this. probably has stood up there in front of his people and given a sermon about resisting this very thing, because what else could it mean when sisters grow claws and speak to him in such a voice? and yet more than anything else, he feels a burning sense of curiosity.
vox lifts a hand, fingers tentatively brushing the back of dear alice's hand, then covering it entirely. he looks back up at her face.]
she taps her claws on the arm of the chair, giving his chin a little squeeze at the same time. she doesn't seem mollified by his hand on hers, but she doesn't seem any more angry, either. ]
Tell you? I'll show you.
[ and so alice does. it's not a change that takes very long, because vox isn't given much time to get used to it. from a modest 5'2 to a full 7', long, long limbs and sharp, sharp teeth, with eyes red-on-red. her face is more linear even, all lean lines and tight angles.
there are even fluffy red and black ears along with a small set of antlers poking out of the top of her veil. ]
Alastor, the radio demon, at your service.
[ low, with that static rumble. with the clarity of the full package, it becomes quite clear that the demure, gentle sister vox has been working with all this time is instead a huge and spindly demon twink. emphasis on the twink.
for some reason the habit still fits him perfectly, though. ]
Big talk from the sister who always gave me the same lukewarm look--
[in his defense! he didn't know he was supposed to not believe her when she fed him that line about the women leaving! he thinks this is a defense, anyway, and compounded with how she's always just politely ignored his unprofessional advances...
well! really! how was he supposed to know!
but that's as far as he gets, because the transformation that suddenly happens shocks the rest of his silly protests right out of him. now he really ought to feel something besides intrigue, and he does, but it's not... horror. or disgust, or any of the other more appropriate approaches one might take in this situation.
vox swallows. he looks up even higher now. oh, fluffy ears, how endearing--]
You're-- The whole time? This was you the whole time?
[incredulous, still not disppointed, still staring up with a mixture of emotions trying to sort themselves out.
give him a minute. he glances down and back up again. he looks off to the side, making a hasty decision, then:]
Why, Sister, why all the secrecy! You're breathtaking.
[ really? all the women leave just because? there's nothing strange with that, vernon? nothing at all? truly, this has been the job of a lifetime and a half.
but alastor is... well. he's certainly got vox's attention now, and that spreads a sharp slash of a grin across his face, vicious and hungry. he's not flustered per se, by the compliment, but he is a little charmed by the audacity. ]
Yes, the whole time. I thought, perhaps, pushing you into the deep end to start would be a bit much.
[ he leans in closer then, back hunching somewhat as he brings his lips close to vox's ear. ]
Or would you have liked it better if I showed up like this, hiked up my skirt to get your attention?
[ it's not actually a question. ]
And here I knew you were a fraud, but to be so eager about it is charming in its own right!
[it was a little weird but not weird enough for him to care, is that better? sorry that he is both stupid and horny.
vox shrugs, sitting a bit straighter when she-- ah, no, he leans in to his ear. good god.
not that god is anywhere in this room, but good god. he doesn't hide the look down at alastor's legs, visibly thinking about hiking the skirt up himself. well...]
Please, this whole thing was a sham from the start. [he is. still looking. ahem.] These idiots will do anything for a sip of cheap wine and a vague promise of heavenly rewards. I've been thinking about writing a book.
[he looks up again to grin. this isn't business time, though, so he'll leave it at that. he hesitates, then scoots forward minutely in the chair, to lean up closer to alastor's face. like perhaps he is expecting a kiss, or at least to be dragged around by the chin some more.]
[ he IS stupid, and he IS horny, which makes him easy. and alastor does like it when getting a soul is easy. or, well, many souls, in this case.
he can practically hear the gears turning in vox's head as he stares at alastor's legs. so of course he shifts slightly: not enough to bare any leg, of course, but to give a glimpse of the hoof beneath. a little gift, perhaps.
then he's rolling his eyes and vox is getting more contact, but it's a palm to the face as alastor straightens up to put distance between them, dropping that same hand to his hip afterward as he just looks at vox semi-incredulously. ]
You're charismatic enough to gain a following and I want the souls you're collecting. Aiding you in your crusade for fame and money also benefits me! [ then he grins, openly hungry. ] And then, I want yours.
[oh, he's got-- he's got actual hooves, that is doing wonders for vox's imagination of what else is under that habit. sister alice had been... pleasingly shaped, but the sheer depth of mystery of what the fuck a demon looks like under there is far more interesting.
sorry alice. hello, alastor. hello as well to alastor's hand in his face, which unfortunately only makes vox laugh as he sits back again. okay, okay. he'll try again another time.]
My soul? [what, souls are also real?? jeez.] Sure, why not! I'm barely using it.
[the rest of the flock is implied, of course alastor can have them too, once they've served their purpose.]
[ alastor may raise his eyebrows at vox's eagerness to give away his soul, but he's not surprised. curious, maybe, if anything. ]
Knowing I'm real doesn't make you consider the ramifications of Heaven or Hell also being real? You'd give me your soul so easily? But I'll gladly accept.
[ he leans his hip on the chair briefly before continuing. ]
I make sure you have a steady stream of followers, make sure your sermons take and they stay, getting you money and fame. In return, I get their souls upon death and yours as well. Do we have a deal?
[ he holds out his hand to shake. his smile is anticipatory. ]
[vox cants his head to the side, acknowledging that he is definitely being - unconventional, here, even beyond what he pretends to believe in front of the others.]
Heaven and Hell don't interest me all that much, if you want to know. You do.
[if hell is real, apparently, then he already knows he'll wind up there after the things he's done in his life - this group chief among them, probably. is it blasphemous, to commit fraud in the religious sense? has to be. still, it doesn't matter to him nearly as much as the money, and the notoriety, and the actual living demon standing in his office.]
As long as I get to be the last, we have an accord. Pleasure working with you, Sister.
[teehee. he is so funny. he reaches out to shake hands, decisively.]
[ unconventional to say the least. this is the easiest deal he's ever made, and he wasted a whole year on pretending to be a cute nun? though he supposes the cute nun part is maybe part of it. hm. ]
Oh, I'm interesting? Color me flattered, you card.
[ but the all-important part is happening: vox is accepting his deal just like that, with such vague wording that alastor could do essentially whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted.
oh, this will be fun. ]
One last thing, Father.
[ his voice drops to a low purr and he shifts closer, one knee settling on the edge of the chair right between vox's legs in a manner more dangerous than flirty. ]
If you try to take your eyes off me again, I'll eat you alive. That's not part of the deal, that's a promise.
[ then, and only then, does he take vox's hand and shake it. ]
I'll flatter you whenever you want. Add that to the terms.
[is he taking this seriously? well, yes, to an extent. he's completely serious about alastor, and his deal, but caring about souls and all of that? eh, he's just trying to keep alastor happy, now.
although not without shooting his shot. glancing down at alastor's threatening knee, vox can't help but shift his hips forward and squeeze his thighs just a bit around alastor's leg. just a teensy bit. just a smidgen.]
Whatever you say, big guy. [big demon... sorry to be horny about this as well.] I can't think of any reason to worry about Susanna or anyone else, anymore.
[ vox is lucky that alastor is so pleased about this deal, because all he does when the human gets way too horny about being threatened is raise both eyebrows and then sigh, shoving vox's legs apart again with his knee as he draws back and dusts himself off, filtering back into his previous meek human appearance just afterward.
he straightens his veil, giving vox a withering look. ]
Keep it inside your pants, Father, but I'm glad you won't be distracted.
[ and even the voice slips back to what it once was. ]
[aha-- and vox backs off easily enough, not going to tempt fate so early in their little arrangement. he laughs, anyway, holding up his hands. he's backing off, he is, for real.
but he does leer, a bit, as alastor becomes alice again. he scrutinizes him - her - alice-tor - as he rises form his chair, noting all the similarities between sister and demon besides the obvious. the withering look is the same, he can say that with confidence! and there's something in the set of the shoulders that suggests the overwhelming presence of the demon within.
it's still a leer, though, all the way down and all the way back up. he sighs, so very put-upon, now that he has to do his job that he created himself.]
Of course, Sister. My focus and my attention both are sharp.
[emphasized, naturally, by his hand pressing into the small of alastor's back just briefly, as he passes by to the door.]
We have a meeting later, don't we? To discuss our budget for the next quarter?
[ in response to that leer. he, somehow, didn't expect the touches to increase once vox knew what he actually was. the touch to the small of his back isn't unfamiliar, but he does spare vox a glance as he eases into following after him, eyes rolling behind his back. ]
Yes, Father. We do have a meeting later. Shall I ready for that by preparing the paperwork or do you require my assistance for your sermon as well?
[ low, almost amused. he knows the answer, but at least he can have a little fun himself. ]
[don't say sexy shit so soon before he has to go give a sermon, jesus. vox laughs again, looking back over his shoulder.]
Oh, you know your presence is such a boon to our sermons. Besides, didn't you say the other sisters need your guidance? I'd hate to leave them all by their lonesome.
[teehee. sit front and center, please and thank you.
so: the sermon. it's completely normal, except for the noticeable way vox seems more... peppy than usual. very enthusiastic today, father vernon, enough that some of the congregation even murmur about it while he's doing his thing at the podium.
and if he keeps flashing sister alice a very particular smile, well, maybe the other sisters are just imagining that, and anyway, that's none of their business... teehee...
back in his office later, he does get through most of the budget work they have to do before he sits back and considers alastor.]
So. I have a question. [a beat.] How do you wind up in Hell? You know, now that it's apparently real.
[ and alastor is there for the sermon, as he always is. he's demure and attentive and supportive, though he does tilt his head and give 'shy' little smiles in response to the way vox keeps looking at him.
may as well keep anyone from thinking they can get vox's eyes to wander, or to expect him to maybe make a move. alastor will endure a lot if it means he has every single drop of vox's attention.
once they're settled in the office again things go smoothly; he sits with his legs crossed at the knee, still fully in human form, and arches an eyebrow at the question. ]
Are you asking what I did to go to Hell?
[ his head tilts, smile widening, and he leans over to slowly walk his fingers up vox's sternum. ]
I killed two dozen men for varying reasons, from beating their wives to looking at me the wrong way. [ as he says wrong way, two clawed fingers grip vox's chin. ] Some, as one might imagine, are worse reasons to those up above than others.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
extra prayers for sister alice in these trying times
then her hand is on his arm, and he glances at it, but regrettably he is still hung up on... the susanna issue.
not so hung up that he doesn't notice alice's shifting, or hear the suggestion in her question. now, he would be forgiven if he thought... but that's ridiculous, because alice has never...
he must be imagining it. who is closer to him than poor susanna, hmm--]
Well... Diana has been here for some time.
has she not endured enough in her service of the lord
[ there's something quietly sharp in her tone, something that's never been there before. a little fuzzy maybe, just around the edges. she pauses just after, clearing her throat as though she'd had something stuck in it. ]
My apologies, I must have some allergies. But oh, Diana?
[ if he could be forgiven for such a thought, surely she can be forgiven for the edge of jealousy that's still left in her tone. ]
Father, I'm afraid I do think you're missing the forest for the trees.
[ her hand slides up, just a little. one last chance. ]
not yet clearly
but diana is also, it seems, the wrong choice of lady, and vox is half-tempted to just start naming every good-looking woman in the congregation just to see what happens. the hand on his arm is compelling, however.]
Sister, you know no one here lives closer to my heart than you do.
[guy asking about marrying other women: you're my fav though fr!!]
I didn't think you were interested.
well shes vox's problem now
[ know that, she means. she breathes a laugh, soft but incredulous, at his reasoning.
finally, frustrated, she draws herself up to her feet, moving around to the chair vox is sitting in to plant her hands on the arms of it, leaning over him with a smile much sharper than usual. ]
I've been with you from the beginning, never straying, never looking to anyone but you. How many of those women do I have to send away before you only look at me?
[ one hand lifts to grip his chin, still gentle even though the tips of her fingers are blackened and have sharp, sharp claws. her voice even lowers a bit, a hum of static rumbling under the words. ]
Father, I don't think you know what you deal with when your eyes wander.
no subject
well, it's compelling, to have her lean over him like this, looking more annoyed with him than she's ever been. vox blinks.]
That was you? You could have, I don't know, said something to me.
[think of the flock! which needs people to stay for it to function! sister!!]
If I didn't... [he trails off, gaze darted down to the state of her hands, brow furrowed. what? actually, what? she even sounds different again, like-- uh.
objectively, vox knows he should be worried about something like this. probably has stood up there in front of his people and given a sermon about resisting this very thing, because what else could it mean when sisters grow claws and speak to him in such a voice? and yet more than anything else, he feels a burning sense of curiosity.
vox lifts a hand, fingers tentatively brushing the back of dear alice's hand, then covering it entirely. he looks back up at her face.]
Tell me what I'm dealing with.
no subject
[ annoyed, sure. petulant, maybe. fussy, definitely.
she taps her claws on the arm of the chair, giving his chin a little squeeze at the same time. she doesn't seem mollified by his hand on hers, but she doesn't seem any more angry, either. ]
Tell you? I'll show you.
[ and so alice does. it's not a change that takes very long, because vox isn't given much time to get used to it. from a modest 5'2 to a full 7', long, long limbs and sharp, sharp teeth, with eyes red-on-red. her face is more linear even, all lean lines and tight angles.
there are even fluffy red and black ears along with a small set of antlers poking out of the top of her veil. ]
Alastor, the radio demon, at your service.
[ low, with that static rumble. with the clarity of the full package, it becomes quite clear that the demure, gentle sister vox has been working with all this time is instead a huge and spindly demon twink. emphasis on the twink.
for some reason the habit still fits him perfectly, though. ]
no subject
[in his defense! he didn't know he was supposed to not believe her when she fed him that line about the women leaving! he thinks this is a defense, anyway, and compounded with how she's always just politely ignored his unprofessional advances...
well! really! how was he supposed to know!
but that's as far as he gets, because the transformation that suddenly happens shocks the rest of his silly protests right out of him. now he really ought to feel something besides intrigue, and he does, but it's not... horror. or disgust, or any of the other more appropriate approaches one might take in this situation.
vox swallows. he looks up even higher now. oh, fluffy ears, how endearing--]
You're-- The whole time? This was you the whole time?
[incredulous, still not disppointed, still staring up with a mixture of emotions trying to sort themselves out.
give him a minute. he glances down and back up again. he looks off to the side, making a hasty decision, then:]
Why, Sister, why all the secrecy! You're breathtaking.
no subject
but alastor is... well. he's certainly got vox's attention now, and that spreads a sharp slash of a grin across his face, vicious and hungry. he's not flustered per se, by the compliment, but he is a little charmed by the audacity. ]
Yes, the whole time. I thought, perhaps, pushing you into the deep end to start would be a bit much.
[ he leans in closer then, back hunching somewhat as he brings his lips close to vox's ear. ]
Or would you have liked it better if I showed up like this, hiked up my skirt to get your attention?
[ it's not actually a question. ]
And here I knew you were a fraud, but to be so eager about it is charming in its own right!
no subject
vox shrugs, sitting a bit straighter when she-- ah, no, he leans in to his ear. good god.
not that god is anywhere in this room, but good god. he doesn't hide the look down at alastor's legs, visibly thinking about hiking the skirt up himself. well...]
Please, this whole thing was a sham from the start. [he is. still looking. ahem.] These idiots will do anything for a sip of cheap wine and a vague promise of heavenly rewards. I've been thinking about writing a book.
[he looks up again to grin. this isn't business time, though, so he'll leave it at that. he hesitates, then scoots forward minutely in the chair, to lean up closer to alastor's face. like perhaps he is expecting a kiss, or at least to be dragged around by the chin some more.]
Why me?
no subject
he can practically hear the gears turning in vox's head as he stares at alastor's legs. so of course he shifts slightly: not enough to bare any leg, of course, but to give a glimpse of the hoof beneath. a little gift, perhaps.
then he's rolling his eyes and vox is getting more contact, but it's a palm to the face as alastor straightens up to put distance between them, dropping that same hand to his hip afterward as he just looks at vox semi-incredulously. ]
You're charismatic enough to gain a following and I want the souls you're collecting. Aiding you in your crusade for fame and money also benefits me! [ then he grins, openly hungry. ] And then, I want yours.
no subject
sorry alice. hello, alastor. hello as well to alastor's hand in his face, which unfortunately only makes vox laugh as he sits back again. okay, okay. he'll try again another time.]
My soul? [what, souls are also real?? jeez.] Sure, why not! I'm barely using it.
[the rest of the flock is implied, of course alastor can have them too, once they've served their purpose.]
no subject
Knowing I'm real doesn't make you consider the ramifications of Heaven or Hell also being real? You'd give me your soul so easily? But I'll gladly accept.
[ he leans his hip on the chair briefly before continuing. ]
I make sure you have a steady stream of followers, make sure your sermons take and they stay, getting you money and fame. In return, I get their souls upon death and yours as well. Do we have a deal?
[ he holds out his hand to shake. his smile is anticipatory. ]
no subject
Heaven and Hell don't interest me all that much, if you want to know. You do.
[if hell is real, apparently, then he already knows he'll wind up there after the things he's done in his life - this group chief among them, probably. is it blasphemous, to commit fraud in the religious sense? has to be. still, it doesn't matter to him nearly as much as the money, and the notoriety, and the actual living demon standing in his office.]
As long as I get to be the last, we have an accord. Pleasure working with you, Sister.
[teehee. he is so funny. he reaches out to shake hands, decisively.]
no subject
Oh, I'm interesting? Color me flattered, you card.
[ but the all-important part is happening: vox is accepting his deal just like that, with such vague wording that alastor could do essentially whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted.
oh, this will be fun. ]
One last thing, Father.
[ his voice drops to a low purr and he shifts closer, one knee settling on the edge of the chair right between vox's legs in a manner more dangerous than flirty. ]
If you try to take your eyes off me again, I'll eat you alive. That's not part of the deal, that's a promise.
[ then, and only then, does he take vox's hand and shake it. ]
no subject
[is he taking this seriously? well, yes, to an extent. he's completely serious about alastor, and his deal, but caring about souls and all of that? eh, he's just trying to keep alastor happy, now.
although not without shooting his shot. glancing down at alastor's threatening knee, vox can't help but shift his hips forward and squeeze his thighs just a bit around alastor's leg. just a teensy bit. just a smidgen.]
Whatever you say, big guy. [big demon... sorry to be horny about this as well.] I can't think of any reason to worry about Susanna or anyone else, anymore.
no subject
he straightens his veil, giving vox a withering look. ]
Keep it inside your pants, Father, but I'm glad you won't be distracted.
[ and even the voice slips back to what it once was. ]
Shall we? It's almost time for your sermon.
no subject
but he does leer, a bit, as alastor becomes alice again. he scrutinizes him - her - alice-tor - as he rises form his chair, noting all the similarities between sister and demon besides the obvious. the withering look is the same, he can say that with confidence! and there's something in the set of the shoulders that suggests the overwhelming presence of the demon within.
it's still a leer, though, all the way down and all the way back up. he sighs, so very put-upon, now that he has to do his job that he created himself.]
Of course, Sister. My focus and my attention both are sharp.
[emphasized, naturally, by his hand pressing into the small of alastor's back just briefly, as he passes by to the door.]
We have a meeting later, don't we? To discuss our budget for the next quarter?
no subject
[ in response to that leer. he, somehow, didn't expect the touches to increase once vox knew what he actually was. the touch to the small of his back isn't unfamiliar, but he does spare vox a glance as he eases into following after him, eyes rolling behind his back. ]
Yes, Father. We do have a meeting later. Shall I ready for that by preparing the paperwork or do you require my assistance for your sermon as well?
[ low, almost amused. he knows the answer, but at least he can have a little fun himself. ]
no subject
Oh, you know your presence is such a boon to our sermons. Besides, didn't you say the other sisters need your guidance? I'd hate to leave them all by their lonesome.
[teehee. sit front and center, please and thank you.
so: the sermon. it's completely normal, except for the noticeable way vox seems more... peppy than usual. very enthusiastic today, father vernon, enough that some of the congregation even murmur about it while he's doing his thing at the podium.
and if he keeps flashing sister alice a very particular smile, well, maybe the other sisters are just imagining that, and anyway, that's none of their business... teehee...
back in his office later, he does get through most of the budget work they have to do before he sits back and considers alastor.]
So. I have a question. [a beat.] How do you wind up in Hell? You know, now that it's apparently real.
no subject
[ and alastor is there for the sermon, as he always is. he's demure and attentive and supportive, though he does tilt his head and give 'shy' little smiles in response to the way vox keeps looking at him.
may as well keep anyone from thinking they can get vox's eyes to wander, or to expect him to maybe make a move. alastor will endure a lot if it means he has every single drop of vox's attention.
once they're settled in the office again things go smoothly; he sits with his legs crossed at the knee, still fully in human form, and arches an eyebrow at the question. ]
Are you asking what I did to go to Hell?
[ his head tilts, smile widening, and he leans over to slowly walk his fingers up vox's sternum. ]
I killed two dozen men for varying reasons, from beating their wives to looking at me the wrong way. [ as he says wrong way, two clawed fingers grip vox's chin. ] Some, as one might imagine, are worse reasons to those up above than others.