Sean gulped but nodded to Verine. He'd try to keep his advice in mind, but he wasn't sure that he was calm enough mentally to retain it. Dark intertwined their fingers, helping him down from the bus. Together they walked up to the large twin glass doors. Inside, human souls were panicking. They were running from one side to another with coffee and stacks of papers. Wrapping an arm around his waist, Dark whispered to him. "Stay close. Try to ignore what you hear." Sean raised an eyebrow but understood the second they stepped inside. In the lavish room of the first floor, Sean caught glimpses of trolls varying in sizes and colors. Some beautiful and some ugly. Some clean and others dirty. They sat at their desks and ordered the human souls about with voices and words so vile that it gave Sean self-confidence issues. Sensing his shuddering, Dark pressed a hand over his ear and pushed his head against his side to muffle what he heard. Walking up to the front desk, Dark rolled his eyes when the troll behind the desk ignored him. She was leaning back in her chair, talking into her earpiece and admiring her long-squared nails.

Dark let out a low growl, but she still ignored him as she said into the mic by her mouth. "Oh fuck! He didn't do that to you. Well, if he did. You probably deserved it, bitch. You knew he was a man whore before you fucked his brains out. Why are you even surprised that he slept with half your coworkers? Honestly, he's been fucking people farther out than that. After all, he fucked me last-" She was cut off by Dark slamming a hand on the desk, causing flames of blue and crimson to scorch the counter. Sean jumped back behind Dark in surprise, he hadn't expected him to get so aggressive so quickly. The troll's bright yellow eyes darted to Dark, before telling the mic softly. "I've got to call you back, bitch. Tall, Dark, and fucked up just walked in." Tapping her ear, she sat up and crossed her wrists under her chin as she purred out like a snobby bitch. "Can I help you?" Hot steam burst from Dark's nostrils when he growled out. "Gossip. Where is she?" The troll rolled her eyes, stating flatly. "She's in the middle of a podcast right now. You'll have to come back later." Dark's fingers pressed so hard into the desk that the marble counter cracked as he snarled out. "Do you know who I am?" Huffing, she blurted out. "Honey, please. I don't care if you're the queen of the dumpster fire you crawled out of. Gossip wouldn't see you on a good day. And bitch... Black is soooo not your color. You look like such a poser."

Baring his teeth, Dark told Sean in an eerily calm voice. "Sean...? Close your eyes." Sean closed them, until he heard something crack and shatter. When he opened them, he saw that Dark had kicked the desk into two pieces that shot off to the back wall. The troll gasped but before she could scream, Dark had her by the throat. Yanking her up out of the chair, he slammed her against the wall and yelled out in a voice to menacing that it made the shadows expand like fingers over the walls. "I'm the KING OF PRIDE! You disrespectful, treasonous BITCH!" Every troll that had been working had gone silent now. Their eyes wide and they peeked around to watch. The human souls fled to areas with the most light and whimpered in fear as shadows stretched over the floors. She tired to grovel but Sean knew Dark was too far gone for that. Squeezing her throat, Dark bitterly snarled out. "Are you STILL talking?" Dark's eyes rippled into glossy orbs of fire before he punched her face to break her teeth, then reached in to grab her tongue. Sean turned away, listening to her scream. When he heard her fall to the floor, he looked back to see that Dark was burning her tongue in front of her. Turning his hand over, he let the asses fall at her feet.

The troll trembled, covering her bleeding mouth as tears streamed down her face. Dark turned his attention to a human vessel who stood a little too close to the scene. Beckoning to the human male with a finger, Dark snarled under his breath with barely contained anger. "Come here." The human reluctantly walked up to him, keeping his eyes low as his body shook with fear. Without touching him, Dark growled over the man's shoulder. "Tell me where Gossip is." The human refused to look Dark in the eyes but pointed to the elevators as he squeaked out. "Take the elevator to the thirtieth floor. At the end of the hallway, you'll find the podcast room. She's there. I swear it." Dark hot steam over the man's shoulder, snarling out. "If she's not, I'm coming back for you." Dark moved away, calling out. "Sean?" Sean rushed to follow him, watching the human fall to his knees to hug himself. Dark pressed the elevator button, then draped an arm over Sean's shoulders when he got close enough to him. Biting his lip, Sean whispered to him. "Not very subtle. We want her to be on our side, you know." Dark rolled his eyes, taking a deep breath before he told him in a calmer tone. "I know. I'm trying to relax." Sean glanced at the gawking trolls and humans, telling Dark a bit playfully. "I hope you got it out of your system."

The elevator dinged, just as Anti blurted out. "Fuck! Did I miss the carnage?" Dark held the elevator door open, ordering sternly. "Anti, hurry your ass up!" Anti hopped over the scattered mess of desk pieces and papers, chuckling out in a distorted voice. "You're in a mood. She's going to pick up on that." Dark growled as Anti slipped into the elevator with them. Pulling Sean back against his chest, Dark wrapped his arms around him, his face buried against his neck. Every breath he took seemed to inhale the smell of his skin, while every steamy exhale warmed Sean's bare shoulder. Anti casually leaned back against the wall, arms and ankles crossed as he told them lightly. "She's talking about you now. I can hear her. She knows you're coming." Dark raised his head to look at Anti, who added coolly. "You know what she's going to do, Dark. Are you sure you want him here?" Dark growled possessively, giving Sean goosebumps. Anti tilted his head, replying seriously. "She's not alone... Someone's here."

Dark straightened up, asking in a guarded voice. "Khaos? Nicon?" Anti's eyes flicked to solid black with green code running down over his eyes. He didn't say anything for a moment, until he hissed out. "I don't see them... but I can feel their energy. Dark..." Dark tensed, not needing Anti to finish when he said firmly. "Fuck this. We're leaving!" Dark slammed his fist on the button to stop the elevator, bringing it to an abrupt stop. He was reaching for the button to go back down, when the elevator doors shot open to reveal a troll that made Sean gasp. Her skin was a soft pink, her long bushy red and black hair was pulled up into two ponytails on her head. She wore a short black leather miniskirt with a deep purple lace shirt under a heavily torn black leather jacket. Her spiked boot heels tapped the floor as she flashed Dark a grin and cooed out eerily sweet. "Hello, Darkiplier. Been a long time. You're not leaving yet, are you? I'm so eager for us to catch up." Sean's eyes went down to her fishnet stockings, noticing a long pink tail swaying behind her that had spiked leather bracelets up the length of it. Her sharp red painted nails snapped before his eyes, her voice sour when she said snobbishly. "My eyes are up here, fleshbag. Dark, where are his manners? Or do you like the grimy ones?"

Dark started to growl but was cut off when Anti chimed out. "Well, if it isn't the furry pink leather clad whore. Nice to see your big mouth matches what's left of that man eating hole between your legs." Sean's jaw dropped as he stared at Anti. Gossip tilted her head in Anti's direction, a fake smile spreading over her face as she huffed back. "Well, as I live and breathe. Back from the dead, I see. Too bad... you looked like death warmed over. Such a scrawny scarecrow. Still stalking Dark like a bitch in heat, huh?" Sean expected a fight to start as Anti moved off the wall and walked up to her. Taking a strand of her hair, Anti cooed out to her. "Old habits die hard. What can I say... He's a good fuck. Shall we catch up? Or stand here like a bunch of squalling pussies?" Gossip punched Anti in the chest, chuckling out. "I've missed you, you crazy fucker. Come on, I cleared my schedule. Let's shake the piss lose." Anti followed her down the hallway, leaving Sean to stammer out to Dark. "W- What... the fuck?" Smirking, Dark shrugged out honestly. "I don't know. Anti speaks 'bitch' apparently. Come on. But don't leave my side." Sean nodded, mumbling out. "Don't let go." Dark's arm wrapped tightly around his waist, guiding him down the hall.

Sean could tell that Dark was more concerned about what Anti had felt in the elevator though. He was scanning the separate hallways and eyed every human vessel and troll they saw like they weren't what they seemed to be. Wrapping his own arm around Dark's waist, Sean whispered to him. "Is it bad that I like you when you're all... protective?" Dark grinned but didn't look at him, he was focused. At the door, Gossip kicked the door open and told them. "Come inside my office. Relax. Want a drink? Something to eat? This will be a while, I guarantee it. I want all the juice news. You whores are hot stuff right now." Sean opened his mouth for a request, but Dark covered his mouth and answered. "No, Gossip. I heard how you drugged Verine to loosen his tongue. I'm not stupid." Gossip pouted but shrugged out. "Fucking whore... Should have known that slut would hold a grudge. Ugh, he takes things soooo seriously. Fine." Sean hugged Dark's arm, thanking him silently for saving him. Dark winked, pulling him inside. Dropping in a chair, Gossip tapped the mic braced over the table, telling them excitedly. "Hope you don't mind. I'm taking this shit live. Not every day you get to hear the King of Prides nasty little closet sins. I'm all ears and my fans are just DYING TO KNOW YOU."

Anti dropped into a seat, propping his feet up on the table, when he shrugged out. "Fine by me." Dark scowled, retorting. "Not by me." Gossip's eyes turned a solid red when she grinned out wickedly. "Excellent. There are secrets to unfold. I can taste it. Shall we begin?" Dark pushed Sean down into a seat but remained standing when he rushed out. "Sure. Was Khaos here? Nicon perhaps?" Gossip tsked her tongue, then purred out innocently. "She is the queen, Darkiplier. Besides, you know fucking well that I must have both sides of a story... Makes it easier to twist the narrative into a confusing mess that breeds lies and falsities." Rolling his eyes, Anti told Dark flatly. "Means yes." Gossip winked at Anti, chuckling out. "Such a cheeky demon you are. When's the last time we fucked? I miss your... uplink." Anti flashed her a sharp grin, but changed the subject to say dismissively. "You want to help us spread some rumors or not, Gossip? Just you being there to commentate on the wedding would get your realm all hot and bothered for juicy news. Might even have a major fight. Something to add to your bitch squad wrap sheet." Gossip tapped her jaw thoughtfully, snobbishly stating aloud. "Very tempting... It would go a long way to build me a rep. However..."

Sean held his breath as Gossip looked to him and stated icily. "Khaos wants that little fuck toy of yours dead. To anger HER is suicide. So, why should I break a nail for that little Twink." Both Anti and Sean snapped out in unison. "Hey!" Bringing her attention away, Dark scolded her sternly. "Khaos doesn't care about you. She wants me. She wants to start over with a clean slate. So-" Gossip raised a hand to stop him, huffing out in a bored voice. "Ugh! I've heard this bullshit. Blah Blah Blah. That's not what I've heard is happening." Dark raised an eyebrow, and she chuckled out smugly. "I heard from the bitch's mouth that she's craving your cock and your Twink here is cockblocking her. She wanted to pass him off to Nicon. That sexy black phoenix demon. He wants to breed your Twink raw, but you still have a hard on for him. Stole him away and now want to bind yourself to a fleshbag. How... human of you Darkiplier. You want him to pop out your little shadow babies too? One big fucked up family?" Dark growled, but Anti cut in sourly. "Watch it! You are too young to-" Cutting him off, she scolded him bitterly. "I understand just fine, thank you! The Twink is your vessel. Well... used to be. You're rocking new digs now. But Dark's lust for this Twink is essentially a power grab. Mad respect by the way. But still, by controlling the vessel of another king in this hell... He's got you whipped, Anti-boy."

Adding a shrug, she continued with a huff. "Even trying on that new Twink, Anti, won't save you. That body can sustain you but it's not your true vessel. Your power stems from that one. You'll always belong to him. So, if Dark binds himself to that whore, you might as well throw yourself in bed with them. Cause Dark will OWN YOU and your realm. Bitch." Anti let out a long hiss, before sneering at her. "He doesn't control me! No one does!" Unlacing her shirt a bit to show off her tits more, Gossip purred out to Anti. "Of course not. Tell me you don't have daddy and mommy issues either, baby." Leaning closer to him, her eyes flared a vibrate red when she teased out. "Or... even better. I sense... family drama. Poor Anti... Do you crave attention and affection? You're one lonely demon..." Anti lunged to his feet, knocking the chair into the far wall. Slowly standing up, Gossip chuckled out to Anti. "Yes. There is it. Come on, Anti. Deny it. Cause we both know, you can't admit it! You feel tied down and alone. You crave what Dark has and can't find it for yourself! You're a whipped pussy and if Dark were to order you on your knees right now... you'd obey him. Because you STILL LOVE HIM!" Without a word, Anti lost his tempter and picked up a chair to throw at her. She jumped aside, letting the chair smash into the wall.

With a burst of green sparks, Anti vanished from the room. Leaving Gossip's eyes to fade back to her blue ones when she huffed out. "Poor boy. He needs a good fuck." As she dropped back into her seat, Sean looked to Dark and asked with concern. "What did she mean that Anti has 'new digs'?" Dark tried to stop him, but Gossip overheard and answered promptly. "New digs. A new look. A new vessel. What did you think I meant? Haven't you noticed, ya twat?" Dark rolled his eyes, but there was something there that Dark was trying to hide. Resulting in Gossip gasping out. "Oooh. He doesn't know, does he, Dark? How juicy." Dark growled angrily, but Gossip blurted out with a shrug. "Anti took over Chase Brody. One of your family members from another plane, if I recall. Of course, he needed Dark's help for that." Sean locked eyes with Dark, before saying softly. "Needed your help? To do what?" Dark shifted uncomfortably but rushed out in return. "Sean, now is not the time. I can explain later." Gossip blew a raspberry, interjecting smugly. "Fuck that! Sean should know that you helped kill Chase's family in order for Anti to possess him. Makes sense. Anti's so broken... his vessels have to feel the same way. Probably why you are such a match. You crave Dark as he does and have soooo many issues yourself that mirror him."

Dark slammed a hand on the table, telling her menacingly. "SHUT UP!" Pushing her hair from her eyes, she shrugged back defiantly. "Or what? You'll kill me? Please. You won't touch me." Dark moved around the table to get closer to her, snarling out. "Give me one good reason, you goat fucking troll!" Holding up a finger, she huffed out. "That was fucking rude and uncalled for, Dark. And my reason is this... I'm not alone." Sean felt a sudden breeze behind him and called out nervously. "Dark?" Barely glancing over his shoulder, he saw a hand reach through a shimmering portal to snatch his arm. Yanking him through so fast that Dark only just missed following behind him. Falling through the portal and into the awaiting arms of someone, he heard voices shouting. "CLOSE IT!" "Holy shite that was close!" Straightening up, Sean tried to pull himself away as he shouted. "Who the hell are you people?!" Something pricked against his neck, causing him to scream and fall weakly into the awaiting arms again. Barely seeing the uniform of a doctor, Sean closed his eyes as a voice said aloud. "It's ok. We're family."  To Be Continued...