Chapter Text
They were only inches apart. A frown plastered on both their faces, Carmilla Carmine and Velvette glared at each other. Velvette's line of questioning had become personal in the last lines of her song and Carmilla couldn't have that, not in her meeting. Especially not when the younger woman was right about her beheading the angel, but, she knew she had more than good reason to do it, her daughters would always come first. Keeping it a secret would only benefit the situation and secure her loved ones' safety.
"Stay a moment after the meeting, will you, Velvette?", Carmilla hissed in a low voice. It was more of an order than a request. Velvette rolled her eyes, scoffing, but didn't protest. Shrugging her shoulders, she sat back in her chair, crossed her legs and went on swiping on her phone as if nothing had happened.
She blamed the other Overlords for being cowards, why not fight against the angels if they can be killed? The head of the council was smart though, there was no way she didn't understand the need for immediate action. Of course, Carmilla's facial expressions before and during the younger's tantrum gave away more than the weapon dealer meant to. Although unspoken, her having murdered the angel was clear as day to Velvette and she would confront her about it the moment they were left alone.
When that time finally came, Carmilla closed the door behind Rosie, the Cannibal Queen, and gave Velvette a stern look. "What was all that about?"
The other woman smirked. "Well, you leaving an angel headless, of course. Am I not right?"
Walking back to her original place, with her hands resting on the chair, Carmilla stared daggers into the pink-haired demon's eyes, but kept her calm. "You simply cannot waltz in here like you own this place and pretend you're better than everyone else. Need I remind you, we are Overlords, responsible for millions of souls. If you keep this up, you'll create a chasm between us all. Hell will start falling apart, just like an apple starts rotting from the inside."
"Oh please, Hell is already falling apart!" Velvette yelled, walking towards the white haired woman. "If you can't see that, you're going blind just like your boyfriend, Zestial. I'm tired of listening to your stupid lectures. The last extermination only proves my point, that we need to fight back and stop taking Heaven's hits like pussies."
Choosing to ignore her titling Zestial as her boyfriend, Carmilla inched closer to Velvette, towering over her, their height difference suddenly very obvious. "That is not for you to decide, Velvette." Her eyes narrowed, as she continued. "This is why we have weekly meetings, why this team of Overlords has been formed, what we need to do is work together. Yes, the time will come to fight, but that is not now."
Velvette's temper long gone, she felt her face heating up. "Then when, huh? How many exterminations until you understand we need to stop beating around the bush? How much demon blood until you get your head out of your arse-"
"My ass?" Carmilla finally snapped, her voice growing raspy as she yelled. "My ass? You are the one who only cares about herself here! You and the other Vees are ignorant at best. All you do is behave recklessly and draw more attention to us, endangering not only yourself, but everyone."
They were impossibly close now, their noses almost touching. Velvette could feel the heat emanating from the angry woman before her, and, for the first time, she looked at her, really looked at her. The flaming red eyes glaring at her, the darker part of her face, shaped so delicately, the singular black lock of hair contrasting the white of her bangs.
"You think you're 'tough shit' but, really, you're just acting like a petulant child who never learned how to cooperate with people." Carmilla continued, her voice rising even more and a dangerous glint forming in her eyes.
Maybe it was the rasp in her loud voice, or perhaps her neck muscles flexing with each sentence, maybe the anger and tension rising in Velvette's chest, but she caught herself being entranced, all the while being scolded. She internally slapped herself, what was happening to her?
With every word that came out of Carmilla's mouth, the younger got even more riled up.
"... careless, foolish and inane..."
Velvette's cheeks were now on fire, as Carmilla raised her voice even more.
"All you do is throw accusations my way, but what about you? When are you going to do something?"
That was the final blow. Without even thinking, Velvette rose on her tiptoes, grabbed the other woman's face and kissed her. Carmilla was completely taken aback, her eyes wide open as she took a moment to adjust to the kiss. Before that moment was over, though, Velvette had already pulled away, opening her previously closed eyelids.
She cursed herself, what was she thinking? Kissing Carmilla Carmine, someone she never got along with, mid-fighting. If any part of her behavior had been stupid, then this was it.
They shared a look, each of them quietly processing what had just happened. That was until Velvette's self-accusatory thought process was interrupted by Carmilla's lips back on her own.
If anyone asked Carmilla why? she would most definitely not have an answer. It was unlike her to act on impulse like that without considering the consequences, but something had drawn her back to Velvette, and the more she kissed her, the more she wanted to drown in her sweet scent of strawberry and vanilla.
Placing her hands on Velvette's shoulders, she pulled at her leather jacket, letting it fall on the floor. She softly pushed the fashion designer until her back was against the wall. The kiss itself, though, was anything but soft. Eyes closed, lips connected, Carmilla's torso pressed against Velvette's. Sloppy and passionate, yearning for more, they moved in sync in what was essentially a sensual dance made for only the two of them. The younger demon's hands moved up Carmilla's legs to her waist, gripping harder on the fabric of the shirt.
Carmilla rested one of her hands on the back of Velvette's head, leading the kiss and trying to have more of her, if that was even possible.
Their lungs eventually failed them. In desperate need of air after kissing for what felt like hours, they broke apart and simply stared at each other. Lipsticks smudged, cheeks red, both hot and panting. Both dumbfounded by the horrors of what had just happened and what that could entail.
Velvette's ever-present mask had fallen momentarily, long enough for Carmilla to notice her eyes softening fleetingly, before they returned to their original coldness. She removed her hands from the younger's shoulders and let them fall limply on her sides, while Velvette mirrored her movements, retracting from the weapon trader.
"Shit", she murmured, her eyes trying to avoid Carmilla's. Her mind was running a million miles per hour, yet she couldn't find anything to say. "This was a mistake. I shouldn't have-", Velvette trailed off mid-sentence and looked up at the other woman, expecting her to say something, yell at her, scold her, anything. But, Carmilla was still recovering from the surge of adrenaline accompanying their kiss.
The younger didn't wait for her reply, she just grabbed her jacket, not bothering to put it on, and stormed out of the room as quickly as possible. "This never happened" was the last thing Carmilla heard, before the - now magicked back to perfection - fashion designer disappeared behind the conference room door.
The white haired woman stumbled back, falling into her chair with a sigh. What the actual hell just happened?
As the days passed, both women focused on their respective work, avoiding every thought about the last meeting. That was until a week went by, and they were forced to see each other again.
Carmilla was trembling at the thought. Losing her calm and collected composure like she did when they kissed scared her, and she didn't know what effect seeing Velvette again would have on her. What she knew was that she couldn't allow the younger woman to use this to her advantage, especially not in front of her daughters.
Those were the thoughts running through her mind as she put on her hoop earrings in front of the mirror, getting ready for the meeting. Suddenly, she was nervous about how she looked. She wondered why that was, but brushed it off and smoothed the fabric of her shirt with her hands. She left the house, Odette and Clara following right behind her.
When she entered the conference room, everyone was already there, except for Velvette. Wouldn't be her if she wasn't late. Carmilla started the presentation with statistics about the last extermination, picking up where she'd left off the previous week and chasing all thoughts about a particular fashion designer Overlord out of her mind.
When the door flew open, the weapon trader turned around, expecting Velvette. Instead, a much taller, much worse in Carmilla's opinion, Overlord appeared. It was none other than Valentino. Of course she sent someone else to represent the Vees, Carmilla thought. She wondered if it had something to do with their last encounter, but quickly realized how foolish that sounded. She probably doesn't want to 'waste her time' being here. She should admit, though, seeing Val enter was underwhelming at best. At least he wasn't as big of a disruption as his colleague.
Greeting the man, the white haired woman went on, hearing the other Overlords' opinions on the situation. The rest of the meeting went by like that, the group deciding to form a plan of defense for the next extermination. The fact that it was coming earlier than expected only made things worse for each Overlord, as they would have to be responsible for the people close to them and the souls they owned.
When the meeting came to an end, Carmilla retreated to her office, sighing softly as she sat down. Clara and Odette were laughing together and chatting at the table, and seeing them like this made the weapon trader even more worried about their safety. She knew, however, that she'd do whatever it takes to make sure no harm came to them.
A knock on the door interrupted the woman's thought process as she stood to answer it. It was one of her employees, with an envelope in his hands. Taking it and closing the door, Carmilla carefully opened it and took out the small card, observing the Vees logo that was carved on the back and a delicate inscription that graced the front.
Ms. Carmine,
We are pleased to inform you that you are invited to the annual Overlords Masquerade Ball in two weeks time, organized by the Vees. All profits will be going to extermination shelters, as they do each year.
Yours sincerely,
The Vees corporation
Of course, Velvette's annual masquerade ball. A poor excuse for Overlords to dress fancy and her to show off her social and fashion skills. Carmilla scoffed, noting how pretentious that seemed on Velvette's side. The younger Overlord considered everyone inferior, with exceptions one could count on only one hand. Preaching generosity and charity showed how counterfeit she could be, probably just so that she was more likeable in the social media world.
Her daughters never felt like joining the ball. It was boring to them and, honestly, Carmilla couldn't blame them. The Overlord closest to Clara and Odette's age had the bitchiest of attitudes, it was no wonder they didn't want to attend.
There was one more meeting left until the event and Carmilla decided to ignore the nervousness about her first encounter with Velvette after their kiss. Instead, she'd focus on merchandise and profits analysis, that's what she knew best.
Of course, she needed to find something to wear at the masquerade. Going through her closet that evening she found absolutely nothing appropriate. Naturally, she couldn't wear the same dress as last year. That's just lazy fashion. She could practically hear Velvette's voice.
She'd have to figure it out later, because right now there were more pressing matters than a stupid gathering.
"No, Vox, I already told you I'm not going. Stop pushing", Velvette said, annoyed. Her friend and business partner had been pestering her about the Overlord meeting for the past three days, but to no avail, as the fashion designer was set on letting him handle it.
"Vel, come on. Why not? You can't let me go alone and you know how fun it is to shit-talk everyone after a meeting", he begged, his flat face forming a frown. "Fuck yeah I can let you go alone. I'm not seeing her idiot face or listening to a bunch of pussies talk about hiding, when we should be fighting against Heaven."
Vox didn't seem to retreat, though. "You'll see her in five days anyway, we have the masquerade ball, remember?" The woman scoffed and rolled her eyes. She'd already avoided one meeting by sending Val, why not another one? She didn't trust herself around the woman, not after her initiating a literal make out session. While it didn't mean anything, she dreaded getting carried away again and ruining her image.
Vox continued, carefully. "And what's with this whole Carmilla obsession? Did something happen that I should know about, Velvette?" She looked up from her phone, quickly pushing down any possible reaction to her colleague's words.
"Not that it's any of your business, but nothing happened. I just hate her whole thing, that's all. You're way worse with that radio demon of yours", Velvette successfully changed the subject, earning her a pissed "ugh" from Vox, as he started to rant about Alastor once again.
"...why do folks even like the guy? He's outdated and talks like he swallowed a shitty radio." Velvette gave a small laugh at that and got up off the couch where they were sitting. "I've got some new designs to finish, so-"
She was cut off by Vox getting up and gently grabbing her arm. "Oh no, no, no. You are not going back to that sewing machine, miss. There's no way I'm going to that meeting on my own and, before you say anything, yes, someone has to attend", he complained, remembering the original subject of their conversation. "Fine, I'll come with you. Whatever", she agreed, but glared at him nonetheless.
Velvette freshened up her makeup and put on her jacket, as Vox grinned at her, evidently proud of himself for managing to convince her. "Oh shut up, fucker."
It hadn't been a good day for Carmilla. Odette was sick and Clara was home taking care of her sister, leaving their mother double her already heavy workload. She had spent the night in her office, working on the transport of the new batch of angelic weapons, and she had a particularly bad feeling about the upcoming meeting.
Upon entering the conference room, her suspicions were confirmed, when she faced a sulking Velvette, accompanied by Vox. This was not going to end well. Next to them was sitting Zestial, as always, to whom she gave a small nod, "Zestial". She moved her eyes to Velvette, finding the younger Overlord already looking at her. Carmilla cleared her throat and spoke in the most neutral tone she could muster, her eyes never leaving Velvette's. "Velvette, Vox, good to have you joining."
With that, she began with a brief introduction and started going over the strategy they were going to follow. Throwing sporadic glances at Velvette, the Overlord was surprised to see she hadn't once touched her phone, not even to check the time. She was paying full attention to her, which was, to be fair, worrisome.
Velvette looked at the woman speaking before her. What was she talking about? Something about angelic weapon supplies, she picked up. Not that she actually listened. She was suddenly flabbergasted by the way the weapon trader was talking. She was observing the strands of her white hair going through her earrings, her eyes glowing intensely when she spoke with more passion, her gestures being all the more grand because of her big hands. The fashion designer had completely zoned out, the only thing visible to her being Carmilla's silhouette. She wondered what it would be like to have those same hands on her body, traveling down from her shoulders, to her waist-
"Hey", Vox whispered to her, breaking her out of her trance. She softly shook her head and came back to the meeting, internally freaking out. What was that and where did it come from?
Velvette actually paid attention for the rest of the meeting and even gave useful opinions on what was said, to Carmilla's surprise. At the end of it, the white haired woman said goodbye to everyone, her eyes momentarily lingering on Velvette. She held the eye contact, offering a hint of a smile that Carmilla could swear she saw.
"Mom, wake up!" Carmilla heard Clara's excited voice and slowly opened her eyes. She was too sleep deprived for this. "A big box came in for you."
The Overlord gathered her strength and got up, burying her feet in her fluffy slippers and dropping a kiss on her daughter's head. "Good morning, darling."
She noticed the package sitting on the table near the entrance and immediately got curious. It was a long, slim, crème colored box, wrapped with a black ribbon. Untying the knot, Carmilla lifted the lid. A gasp escaped her lips, as she stared at the contents of the box.
It was a sleeveless silky black dress, with an opening at the back, and a ribbon-like belt. Calling it beautiful would be an understatement, Carmilla was in awe. Along with it came a silver bracelet graced by small diamonds and a matching pair of earrings, discreet but giving the outfit the essential spice.
Carmilla was rendered speechless by the gesture. She noticed a small piece of paper at the bottom and quickly grabbed it, eager to find out where the gift came from. She faced a note, with neat handwriting she didn't recognize.
For the Masquerade Ball xx
~V
There was only one person she could think of whose name started with V and worked in the fashion industry. Her suspicions were confirmed, when she buried her nose in the soft fabric of the dress, closing her eyes, letting herself be engulfed in the all too familiar scent.
Strawberry and vanilla.