What a Wonderful Night for Singing

"And that was the last we saw of her," I explained to Octavia. It was another day for another cleaning followed by another friendly chat with demons of the higher class. Only with one with prior knowledge of the real me and the other left in the dark. It's already been two days since our run-in with the pop star and although I became less angry about it, I still had the mental scars and I don't know how long it'll be until I'll be over it.

Octavia giggled, bringing me focus back to her. "Sounds like another exciting day for you huh?"

"Oh yeah, very eventful. Aside from the giant fish monster, everything seemed to work out nicely." I was busy vacuuming and got to the living room when I ran into the owl princess reading while listening to her music, so I thought I'd have a quick chat with her. "What's happened to Verosika now I don't know. If she hadn't violated me, I'd feel bad for her."

"At least you won't have to go through that again."

"Shit, I hope not. And then, there's Loona."

"Who?"

"Oh, you know, the hell hound at work that I told you about?"

"What about her?" Octavia looked at me with inquisitive curiosity.

"Well, this was the first time-at least to my knowledge-that she ever went out on an assignment with us. Most of the time she's always staying behind at the office just taking calls, not caring much or talking to any of us. And yet, as soon as she sees another hell hound, she changes. It's like she's never seen another hell hound in her life. I know I shouldn't read too much into it, but…it feels like she wants to open herself up to hell hounds and no one else."

"And this bothers you?"

"Well, no…and yet…it does in a way. I wish I can get a better read on her so I can understand her more. I don't think she hates me,-I got her to smile a few times-but she doesn't open up to me. I wish I knew what her situation was. What makes her be…well her. If there was only some way I can get her to open up to me."

Octavia then asked me one of the many million dollar questions, "Do you like her?"

I looked at her the moment I stopped rambling, thinking of an honest answer. "I don't know. It depends on the definition. It always depends on what definition you mean. I mean I like her not being mean to me. Not a quote-on-quote 'bitch' like she's been with everyone else so there must be something there, right?" I sighed in frustration as I rubbed my face. "It feels so…confusing. I never had to tread softly with you because you're…" I searched within my knowledge of vocabulary to find the right word(s).

"I'm what?" Octavia asked warily.

"More chill with me?" I asked with slight uncertainty. I paused as I waited for some form of response from her.

"Go on."

"Since working for your dad, you and I seem to be more…on the level in a way," I went on as I paced back and forth along the hallway space. "I don't see any reason to be pessimistic with you so far, and I pray that I don't give you any reason to do so with me. So far, anyway." I paused again to see if she had anything to say again. When she didn't and only smiled with a nod, I continued.

"Loona, however, is as such. So few times I got something out of her. Two days ago, she said more than a few words to me. I feel so close, but I'm not sure what to do next. I feel like I know what to do. I just don't know how to do it." I rubbed one hand on my temple this time. "I don't know what to do."

Once I finished, Octavia offered her encouragement. "I'm sure you'll think of something. Maybe you both might have something of common interest and work with that. There's bound to be something that'll break the ice between you.

"I hope so," I sighed. "I just wish I knew what it was." I resumed cleaning afterwards. When finished for the day, I spent some time listening to Stolas read one of his books to me. Not usually a fan of it, but it's nice way to ease my mind. Plus, he ain't that bad of a storyteller. I mean the most I've ever been animated when reading aloud was with "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and a few tales of horror (wanted to do it through streaming but I have the tech knowledge of a simpleton (somewhat knowledgeable but not completely knowledgeable). Wish I could expand more on it, but I never could find the right time, means, and audience to do so.

Moving along, I bid both father and daughter good night and made my way home. It wasn't long until I remembered something. Loona struck me as a fan of Verosika and her music. If it wasn't for the bad history between her and my boss, I'd ask her for an autograph so that Loona could have it. Sigh. Some things are better off as they are, I suppose.

Another day, another shift. That was the feeling I had the next work day. I just got off the shitter when I noticed that everyone, including Loona, had vanished. I started to get worried. If that family we dealt with a few chapters earlier found our workplace, I swear to high heaven (or lowest hell)…

Checking the room, I saw no sign of struggle. If there was, I'd certainly hear it as well. I mean, maybe they got took out silently. Who knows? When I got to the meeting room, I saw the usual circle drawn for teleportation against the back wall. After a small bit of investigating, it seemed to be for a new location and freshly drawn. Putting four and four together (a little more than the usual two and two), I figured they'd gone on assignment without me. As for why Loona wasn't around, my guess was that Bltz somehow persuaded her to come.

So it looks like I'm by myself until they get back. "Clean up" mode was about to kick in when I just had a thought. A film cliche if you will. I wondered for a sec. Ah, what the hell? There's no telling when they'll be back. Might as well.

"Shook Me Like a Prayer" by Rock Sugar played loudly on my phone as I danced like scene you've seen from the Tom Cruise movie "Risky Business". You know, the kind of films he did before relying so much on the Mission Impossible franchise. As one who knows the comedic scenario, I got really into singing and dancing to the melody. I mean, who really hasn't? When you're someone like me, you do your best to dance better than the average white guy. And sing, let's not forget that too. If you know the stereotype, thank you for having a capacity for knowledge.

My head was rocking to the second reprise of the chorus and by the end of it, I suddenly had the urge to do a double take and froze like a deer in the headlights. There they all were, standing outside of the dimensional gate. Watching my little performance. Smug grins on both Loona and Blitzy boy while Moxxie looked surprised and Millie as…adoring I think. I don't know, but she seemed happy in some way.

The phones owned by both Loona and Blitz made me snap back to reality and pause the music. I played off my embarrassment with calm reserve as I cleared my throat. "I don't suppose you saw any of that, did you?"

"Oh, you bet your sweet candy ass we did." Blitz chortled, still recording. "Just give me a minute and I'll make it rain."

"You realize, of course, I'm going to have to kill you all now." Nothing but grins of glee from them all. "Fortunately for you guys, I'm willing to let this go for now while I still have my dignity intact. With plenty of humility and grace to spare. Excuse me." With a little harumph, I grabbed my cleaning stuff and walked away with my nose to the air. It wasn't until I closed the door behind me I heard them make like laughing hyenas I sighed an exasperated sigh.

I kept to myself throughout most of the day. I found sweet relief when it was lunchtime until it was dashed when Blitzo called for me.

"Yeah boss?"

"Put your boogie shoes to good use and moonwalk down to this address. I ordered some coffee since our coffee maker is shit for the moment. Should be ready by the time you tango your way over." Blitz handed me a written scrap of paper. The address belonged to some coffee shop eight minutes away from us and on the back a list of who wanted what.

"Oh, sure. Make jokes, why don't you?" I said dryly. I snatched the paper out of his puny hand and added, "Just try not to give anyone HPV while I'm gone." Strolling towards the door, I glimpsed out of the corner of my eye at Loona. She sat at her receptionist desk as usual, eyes glued to her laptop. I noticed that she managed to see me coming and smirked. "One word out of you, and I'll kick your fluffy-tailed butt." I warned her. I only saw her smirk and I'm glad that's all she did. For now.

Making my way to my destination, I couldn't help feel a little annoyed. Yeah, I know. It's funny until it happens to you. It's one thing when you it's played off for laughs. It's another when someone takes it to a certain extent. As I was about to find out.

It wasn't long until I made it to the coffee shop and walked on in as the bell chime greeted me. At the counter, a female imp (insert your own character description here) greeted me. "Can I help you, sir?"

"Yeah, I'm here for an order for Blitz." I showed the counter girl the little sheet of paper with my coworker's coffee. Looking it over, she answered back with "It's almost ready. Just wait a little longer."

"Okay. I certainly will." As I stepped aside for the next customer, I was unaware that the employee had suspicious thoughts until two customers later and my order was ready.

"Say, haven't I seen your face somewhere before?"

"I…don't think so. Unless I remind you of somebody that you know."

The female imp motioned for another coworker to come over. "Is that who I think it is?"

I started to get worried. I almost forgot about the reason why I was here. If this was the person who placed the hit on me, then I'm slightly ill-prepared for this kind of confrontation. And me without my hand cannon.

The coworker squinted in investigation mode, it didn't take long until his eyes lit up with realization. "Oh my Satan! It is you!"

I readied myself in case I had to fight, cautiously asking him, "Uh, should I know you?"

"No! I just know you from this! Hang on!" The employee quickly took his phone and, after some searching, held it up to me. "This is you, right?"

To my disappointment, it was a SatanTube (or whatever the Helluva Boss equivalent of YouTube might be) of me singing and dancing at the office. Not even a day and a certain someone posted it on the internet. Looking at the description, over 500 people have seen my private performance. I sighed in slight frustration. "Yes, that is me."

I frowned as the two had a little laugh at my reaction of getting caught in the act. "Damn you. Damn you, Blitz." I wasn't all surprised. Knowing either Blitz or possibly Loona, either one couldn't resist posting it online. Thinking about it, Blitz seemed most likely the culprit. Oh, I'll thank him alright I say with disdain.

"I'm glad my little performance was entertaining to you guys." I said with just a hint of sarcasm. I'm not usually one to be offended, but I do admit to being disgruntled.

"I gotta tell ya. Things have been pretty shitty here," said the female worker. "Guess I can say your song and dance helped put me in a good mood for today."

"Oh, I'm so certain."

"Hey, don't be grumpy. In all fairness, you're a better singer than I can be. Too bad your dance moves can use a little upgrade."

"So it would seem." The sarcasm died down a little, but not quite enough. I know how to take a compliment and all, I just don't want to feeling like it was patronizing. "If it's all the same, though, I'd like to get my coffee and get back to work please."

Walking past the few onlookers with my coffee, I walked back without stopping. My mind immediately went to ways of getting back at whoever posted that video. By means of harmless but effective means. All the while I bide my time watching things play out. Maybe I could devise little mind games to make the person(s) just a wee paranoid. The best way of getting back at someone is through the means they don't see coming, don'tcha know?

Now y'all can relax because, yes, I'm now getting to the point about what I said earlier in this chapter. I had the day off tomorrow so I did what Vanessa Carlton suggested and make my way downtown. Walking fast, faces pass and I'm alone staring blankly ahead just making my way through the crowd of demons up and bustling. (And yes, those are loosely the first two parts of the song. Unless you're someone who either grew up around the time the song was playing on the radio stations or know of it because of Terry Crews). I was in the mood for a little evening stroll and so, wearing jeans and a blue sweater with pouch pockets for my gun just in case of trouble, did just that.

The city was comprised of grey buildings with some yellow windows, other times pink or dark red. There the Imp City sign stood having an eye symbol as an icon; red with a white rim outside it with the icon being white and black and partially peeking like a sun. There was also a white spointed billboard with a black rim and having a red pentagram, and an icon with a full black outlining of a sun with the inside having an eye with a yellow sclera and red iris on it and some black and white horns on it.

As I continued my late night stroll, I spotted some sort of spiked dark grey, black, gold, and red building with what seems to be an observatory that has a red lens and has a black pupil peeking out of it, as well as having one larger dark red spike at the back of it. I've only seen pictures of observatory's but to actually see one is quite a rarity. Yeah, I know it's not that big of a thing to be excited about. It's just a rarity.

So much I was taking I didn't even notice the group of bystanders taking notice of me from behind (phrasing). I waited at a crosswalk debating how much further I should go before heading back when there be a tapping on my shoulder. A little startled, I turned around fast. It was two of the bystanders. A duo of female imps to be exact.

"Excuse me, but aren't you the guy from SatanTube?" One of the girls that asked me seemed a tad bit on the fangirl side.

"You mean the one of me singing 'Shook Me Like a Prayer' and dancing like a fool? Why do you ask?" I asked carefully.

The woman's eyes lit up with joy. "Oh. My. Satan! I loved your singing! Can you sing something for us, please?" she begged. Her friend didn't look as super gleeful. But seemed happy to see me, in a pleasant sort of way.

"Wait, me? I'm not that good. Decent, sure. But I ain't super. I only do my best to sing better than the next horrible karaoke singer." I felt rather surprised to get such a reaction. Then again, everyone reacts differently. It did feel nice to be appreciated for once.

"Oh please?! I really want my friend here to hear it for herself. And those guys too." She jabbed her thumb at the group of friends a few ways from us.

I gave them a perplexed look. "You really want to hear me sing?" The supposed fan nodded enthusiastically as did her friend who just nodded. "Alright." I sighed. "Lemme just find a good song to work with real quick." Scrolling through my phone, I searched the internet for something that might be good for this situation. I couldn't help feel a little bit of nervous. I don't plan to sing out loud for everyone in the area, only for these two girls.

"Okay, I think I found the song I'm looking for. Just give me a moment to get it together. I'm nervous about singing amongst a public crowd." Taking a moment for composure, I started singing Queen's "Radio Gaga".

🎼I'd sit alone and watch your light

My only friend through teenage nights

And everything I had to know

I heard it on my radio

You gave them all those old time stars

Through wars of worlds invaded by Mars

You made 'em laugh, you made 'em cry

You made us feel like we could fly

So don't become some background noise

A backdrop for the girls and boys

Who just don't know, or just don't care

And just complain when you're not there

You had your time, you had the power

You've yet to have your finest hour

Radio

All we hear is radio ga ga

Radio goo goo

Radio ga ga

All we hear is radio ga ga

Radio goo goo

Radio blah blah

Radio, what's new?

Radio, someone still loves you

We watch the shows, we watch the stars

On videos for hours and hours

We hardly need to use our ears

How music changes through the years

Let's hope you never leave, old friend

Like all good things, on you we depend

So stick around, 'cause we might miss you

When we grow tired of all this visual

You had your time, you had the power

You've yet to have your finest hour

Radio

All we hear is radio ga ga

Radio goo goo

Radio ga ga

All we hear is radio ga ga

Radio goo goo

Radio ga ga

All we hear is radio ga ga

Radio blah blah

Radio, what's new?

Someone still loves you

Radio ga ga

Radio ga ga

Radio ga ga

You had your time, you had the power

You've yet to have your finest hour

Radio🎼

First two verses, and I unknowingly started to draw a bit of a crowd. Gathering around as I started to get more into the song, spurned on by their encouraging. Yes, I do well with positive reinforcement. Don't think you guys aren't like that either. Like any song, I planned to combine what I listened from the live concert version of the "Radio Ga Ga" with the lyrics I've memorized. All while matching/mixing my pitch and range with just the right diction. In plain English, I sang the best way I could and hopefully do it justice.

I finished the song on a big note and the crowd mildly applauded. Save for the fan girl. She actually loved it. Her friend enjoyed it too. "You were right. He is pretty good," she said with her arms folded and a satisfied smile.

"I told ya, Amber," the fan girl said.

Even if this did give me joy hearing something good in my life, I knew no good came with ego over modesty. "Well, thank you for thinking I'm a good singer. But anyway, I got to get home. It's late enough as it is and I got to get up early." I checked the time on my phone and saw it was getting close to 1 am. "Anyway, it was nice meeting you. Later, ladies."

"Oh, please sing one more time!" I could see the pleading in the fan girl's begging. I knew I shouldn't give in so easily to people who might get too happy with certain things. Yet, I couldn't help feel my heart strings being pulled a little bit.

"Well,…okay. Only one more song and that's it." I said hesitantly, feeling defeated giving into her pleas. I went back to search through my phone to find another good song. I wanted to leave them with something good, but hopefully something that really sticks. Not to mention appropriate for Hell. I'd hate to sing something that might start an angry riot. So certainly no Christian songs period.

Then, I found it. Chris Stapleton's "Tennessee Whiskey". These imps may not have heard of this song before. But should I nail it good, then oh boy! They will for sure. Readying myself, I gave it my all once more.

🎼Used to spend my nights out in a barroom

Liquor was the only love I'd known

But you rescued me from reachin' for the bottom

And brought me back from being too far gone

You're as smooth as Tennessee whiskey

You're as sweet as strawberry wine

You're as warm as a glass of brandy

And honey, I stay stoned on your love all the time

I've looked for love in all the same old places

Found the bottom of a bottle's always dry

But when you poured out your heart, I didn't waste it

'Cause there's nothing like your love to get me high

You're as smooth as Tennessee whiskey

You're as sweet as strawberry wine

You're as warm as a glass of brandy

And honey, I stay stoned on your love all the time

You're as smooth as Tennessee whiskey

You're as sweet as strawberry wine

You're as warm as a glass of brandy

And honey, I stay stoned on your love all the time

You're as smooth as Tennessee whiskey

Tennessee whiskey

Tennessee whiskey

(Repeat twice)🎼

Once more, I poured my heart and soul into my singing as one should always do. Occasionally looking around, I could see a mix of the small crowd either recording my singing or swaying to the beat of the music. All while clinging on to every note and lyric I bellowed. And scene. I finished and was awarded with some louder applause this time, with a dash of whooping.

I smiled, almost showing teeth, and more so when I saw how star-struck the fan girl was. So much I swore she had stars in her eyes. "Ohh, that was so good! I think you just made my night tonight!"

"Oh, go on." I said with slight bashfulness. It may not show, but I do get genuinely happy when I get a good feel from someone satisfied by how good of a performance I do. Causing me lower my guard a little more, I relaxed and thanked her. And so, long story short (too late), I said my goodbyes to both girls and everyone present before making my way back home. All and all, I'd say it was a fun experience. I certainly felt like sleeping good tonight. Knowing very little of what was yet to come from a certain someone I never thought to see again.