Pride Ring thrived on noise, and Alastor walked through it as if he carried silence with him.
Husk trudged along behind him, wings half folded, cigarette dimming with every annoyed sigh.
"Tell me again why we're seeing him," Husk grumbled.
Alastor smiled, cheerful and sharp.
> "Because routine bores me, and Vox is excellent at being inconvenient."
Husk snorted.
"Yeah. So's food poisoning."
But Alastor didn't slow. Something in Pride felt… entertained tonight. Curious. Watching.
Not dangerous yet.
Just awake.
As they stepped into the plaza, a massive holographic billboard flickered on, glitching dramatically before stabilizing into a razor-edged smile.
A synthesized voice boomed:
> "Well well well… if it isn't Mister Antique Radio."
Vox materialized with a burst of static tall, metallic, beautifully expensive looking, and unbearably pleased with himself.
Husk muttered, "Here we go."
Alastor tipped his head politely.
> "Vox. Lovely of you to glitch into existence."
Vox's screen flashed a loading error.
> "Cute. Still pretending that 1930s radio shows are personality."
Alastor chuckled a warm, unsettling sound.
> "And you're still pretending digital noise is charisma."
Husk blinked.
"…Damn."
Vox ignored him because his attention was locked
Analytical.
Studying.
> "Y'know…" Vox drawled, folding his arms, "you're holding yourself differently."
Husk froze.
Alastor smiled the same smile he always wore… except not quite.
Vox continued, frustrated that he couldn't immediately categorize it:
> "Your pacing's slower. Posture more relaxed. Voice modulation's smoother. Micro-expressions are"
He squinted.
> "less hostile."
Husk raised a brow. "Since when do you analyze facial twitches?"
Vox scoffed.
> "Since he is the only person in this Ring I refuse to let outrank me in mystery."
Alastor let the silence stretch amused.
Vox stepped closer, lowering his voice:
> "Tell me somethin', Radiohead."
A flicker not fear, but genuine tension.
> "Did something change… or did someone?"
For the briefest second a heartbeat, a static breath
Alastor's eyes softened.
Not weaker. gentler.
Just… aware.
> "Everyone evolves eventually."
Vox stared.
Not intimidated.
Painfully.
Annoyingly intrigued.
> "If this is some new act, I'm going to be pissed."
Alastor chuckled low, dark, delighted.
> "Oh Vox… if it was an act, you wouldn't be able to tell."
A glitch rolled across Vox's jawline irritation blending with fascination.
> "Fine. Be cryptic. But when you decide to reveal whatever new thing you're cooking"
The static around him softened into something dangerously close to admiration.
> "I'll be there.
Front row.
Camera rolling."
Alastor tipped his hat.
> "You always are."
Vox didn't deny it.
He just smirked sharp and hungry.
Because rivalry was one thing.
But being left out?
For Vox?
That was unforgivable.