Preparations

Xolarand was surprised to see Xellma bursting into his office and barring the door. He was more surprised to see she was already in her human disguise.

"Xolarand, I'm putting you back in charge of Hell for now." Xellma said to him rather matter of factly.

"So soon? It hasn't even been 23 million years, Xellma." Xolarand chortled, a smile flickering on his face for a moment.

Xellma snorted. "I'm bored, Xol. I want to go tease mortals for awhile on Karand."

Xolarand raised an eyebrow. "You already have something in mind, don't you?"

"I was a classically trained singer in my former life, Xolarand." Xellma grinned, before letting out a laugh. "Who would suspect the Demon Queen to have the voice of an angel?"

A laugh escaped his lips. "Careful, what if word gets out the mighty Demon Queen is moonlighting in a tavern?"

Xellma barked a sharp laugh. "Then I'll know who to flay first."

Xolarand patted his stomach. "It'll take more than whips to break this magnificent body."

Xellma looked back at him over her shoulder as she started to leave. "I'll be borrowing some demons, from time to time."

Xolarand's smile returned. "Of course you will."

---

Vaust's face sank as he saw who walked in his front door. Why did she never leave him alone? Why did she insist on keeping that face, too?

"Hello, Xellma." Vaust said icily as she outright pushed someone off their stool before sitting down in front of him.

"Hey I was sitting there!" The man shouted at Xellma.

"Oh were you? My apologies. Here." Xellma reached into her pocket and shoved a bag of coins into his hand. "Run along."

Vaust placed his hands on the counter. "I'll get right to the point. What do you want?"

Xellma pointed at the cobweb covered dusty stage in the corner. "You haven't used that in years. What do you say to some of the finest singing the Demon Queen has to offer?"

Vaust narrowed his eyes, and left his hands on the counter. "What do you get out of it?"

Xellma leaned in close, and whispered loud enough so that only Vaust could hear. "Rebecca never got the chance to just sing for herself. It was always a calculated play at statecraft and preformative spectacle. The Demon Queen isn't bound by things like that. I want to sing for myself, and I want an audience."

Vaust's expression softened. "Careful, I might start to think you're still human if you keep saying things like that. Stage is yours. Nobody's used it in damn near a century anyway."

Xellma winked. "I'll be back in a couple days to clean it up."

---

Vordea was floating face up in the Bay of Storms when she felt a tug at her mind. Xellma wanted to speak to her. How cute. With a gentle push, she swam to the nearest beach, where she found Xellma lazing on a log, wearing just underwear.

"You know you can't tan." Vordea said with a laugh. "Or are you just showing off your body?"

Xellma winked. "Why can't it be both? I have a question for you, mother."

Vordea swooped Xellma up in her arms and cradled her like a baby. "And what does my big strong demon queen need to know?"

Xellma kissed Vordea on the cheek. "If I were to start singing, I wouldn't drive the flimsy mortals mad with the splendour of my voice, would I?"

Vordea giggled and stroked Xellma's face with a tentacle. "Of course not, my lovely Xellma. Mommy promises. Where are you going to show them your lovely voice?"