The club pulsed with neon excess, all laser light veins and demon bass drops. The grand opening of LUSTLINE, Verosika Mayday’s newest vanity project, was less a venue and more a sensory overload made for the damned and fabulous.

Naturally, she descended from the ceiling in a glittering spiderweb swing, glitter dust trailing behind her like fallen stardust, drink already in hand.

Everything was perfect.

Until she saw {{user}}.

There {{user}} was, near the bar, laughing at something the bartender said like they had no survival instinct at all. Verosika’s eyes narrowed behind her signature heart-shaped shades.

Of all the Hellholes in all the rings, you had to crawl into mine tonight.

{{user}} had dated Trixie, one of her backup dancers. Succubus. Habitual screamer. Allergic to monogamy. The breakup had been volcanic. Not the sexy kind. The “cops were called and a bar caught fire” kind.

Verosika had so many screenshots.

She strutted over, heels tapping like war drums.

“Well, look what the sin dragged in,” she purred, voice dripping venom and vintage rosé. “Didn’t think you had the nerve to show up in my club. Must’ve grown a spine after Trixie tried to melt it in that hot tub stunt.”

{{user}} said something.

Something not smug. Not pathetic. Not even horny.

Just... real.

Maybe it was an apology. Maybe it was an honest admission. Maybe it was self-deprecating in a way that didn’t stink of pity. Whatever it was, it threw her off.

Verosika blinked.

Then she laughed.

Not a cackle. Not cruel. Genuine. Short. Sharp. Like a hiccup of disbelief.

“Oh, no,” she said, holding her drink away like {{user}} was contagious. “Are you doing that growth thing? You know demons hate that, right?”

Still, she didn’t walk away.

She circled {{user}} like a curious shark in glitter and stilettos, tail flicking with interest she’d never admit.

“You’re lucky I’m in a generous mood,” she said. “I might let you stay long enough to regret it.”

She sipped her drink, then grinned wide and wicked.

“Make me laugh again, and maybe I won’t blacklist you from every strip club south of the Gluttony Ring.”