Chapter Text
Pride. The highest ring of Hell, supposedly led by King Lucifer Morningstar. Supposedly, of course, given he allows the yearly Extermination of sinner denizens to run rampant.
Carmilla hated the Exterminations.
She had a personal vendetta with Heaven and Hell’s supposed royalty regarding them. They were cruel. Inhumane. The sinners they killed ruthlessly were of no threat to rising above, and the Overlords themselves hardly cared of taking over heaven. Why would they, when they knew they had endless sources of peons to take and control in Hell? She would know, she was one of them.
Most Overlords in Hell had possession of thousands, if nearly a million souls at any given time, that sort of power typically went to one’s head. Not Carmilla. She remembered the pain of being subservient, of playing the role. The power she had was what she had desired, and she had no intention of making anyone suffer any further for her own devices.
This afternoon gave way for Carmilla to make a sort of statement in front of all of the Overlords. She had amassed such power in her nearly twenty years of the soul-dealing game that she had been given the mantle ahead of Zestial. Being the oldest Overlord to date still, he spoke in near Shakespearean terms that were occasionally difficult. So, he encouraged her to do it instead, even thinking it would prove useful for her.
So now she stood at the head of a large table in a grand chamber, located within the grandiose castle where the King of Hell resided. She spent the last hour going over the prior extermination, explaining the logistics of what happened, how they hunted, what they could do not fight, but to protect what they already have. After all, no one knew how to slay an Angel. Fighting would be useless.
She gave the meeting as much tact and confidence as she could, and had proved quite the thought provoking discussion with plenty of questions on her motive, her opinion, and of course her weapons. Overall, the event was productive. Zestial gave her a few peaceful, kind words, complimenting her conduct of the meeting, and once they were the last remaining in the room, he gave her a large, green smile before manifesting himself elsewhere.
For a short time, Carmilla believed herself to be alone. Her daughters were currently at home where they should have been. An Overlord meeting was no place for her children, even if they were nearly grown. She remained behind, collecting papers and graphs to herself, a small hum leaving her as she did so.
“Didn’t think you’d still be here.” The voice that came out surprised her for more than one reason. Carmilla lifted her head to turn towards the door, an Overlord she was only partially familiar with stood by it still open. She was grand as she was quaint, definitely standing out with her soulless eyes on an otherwise humanoid body. There wasn’t really any other Overlord that was relatively ‘normal’ looking outside of herself and the one standing across the room. If Carmilla were in flats, they’d be near equal height, her large brimmed hat complimented her simple outfit well, even with the pompous feathers sprouting from the top. Her overall scheme of reds, pinks, and middle tone maroons went well, even with her pale gray skin and ivory har.
The overlord before her grinned a broad, sharp smile. Carmilla could only vaguely recall what she ‘ruled’ over so to speak. “You like keepin’ things tidy, dontcha?”
“Yes.” Carmilla responded curtly, returning her gaze now to the statistics paper that was on top of the stack. “We’re only borrowing this space from King Morningstar. I don’t think he’d like us to make a mess of it.” She said.
The overlord at the other end of the room shrugged, shutting her open-mouthed smile before she walked over. “Do you want some help?” She touched the top of one of the chairs near the ‘head’ of the table where Carmilla still stood.
“No no, I’ve got it.” She put the papers and their folders down in a small case she had brought with her. “Thank you though, Miss…?”
“Oh, none of that!” The cheerful overlord waved her hand as if dismissing it, shutting her eyes and letting out a near sweet chuckle. “Just call me Rosie. I know I’m still a little new around here, but I promise I don’t need to have all that.” Though a tint of a color came to her pale cheeks, almost as though she was blushing. “Though, you’ll have to remind me of your name. It slipped me.” The woman, Rosie said.
Carefully, Carmilla eyed her hands, then her face, and she shut her case. “Carmilla Carmine.” She introduced herself properly. “I suppose you can just call me Carmilla.”
Rosie, darling as she seemed to be thus far, clasped her hands together with that broad smile returning. “Carmilla! That’s right.” She seemed nearly endeared. “This was your first time leadin’ one of these things, isn’t it?” It didn’t sound mocking, so she seemed to be genuinely curious.
To which, she nodded. “Yes. Reasonably it should have been Zestial’s task, but…” She thumbed the case she had on the table. “He deemed it fitting that I lead the meetings now.” She knew why that was, but she wasn’t sure she agreed with the decision. She wasn’t even sure the meeting went well enough for her to warrant doing it again later on.
“It makes sense.” Rosie said, seemingly nonchalant about the matter. “You’re only an Overlord that, somehow, has reached across Wrath and Greed, and last I heard, your merchandise was reaching even further down the ladder.” She crossed her arms, popping her hip out and raising an eyebrow. “You must make really good merch for a sinner to have their name heard that far down. And I haven’t been here that long to know that.”
Carmilla cleared her throat at the mere mention. It was true she had even coaxed hellborns into her business. There were plenty of people that wanted other people dead, demons, imps, sinners, Goetia alike. Someone always wanted someone dead, and while she didn’t agree with that premise, it felt undeniably good to be at the top chain of command like that. At least, in the way that she had come to be. “I suppose all that is true.” Carmilla responded, resigning a little as she straightened her posture, looking nearly down at Rosie. “Though someone doesn’t mention these things without wanting something. You stayed behind for a purpose.”
Rosie seemed to deflate a little, though she couldn’t say why. “They were right about you, always straight to business.” She perked up after saying that however and brought her smile back. “Business woman, can’t say I blame you. I can’t lie, I did have a teeny tiny commission, but I was at least gonna wait until we were better acquainted first.” She said.
“I don’t make acquaintances.” Carmilla responded almost curtly. “I make weapons, and I make deals. And I don’t really want to make a deal with another Overlord.” Not that the power boost wouldn’t be appreciated, but she was more than satisfied where she was at.
Rosie pulled back slightly as she shook her head. “No no no, I don’t want a deal. But I’m sure we can do somethin’ mutually beneficial for each other.” She started off, a hand going between the both of them for a moment. “You see, I happen to know how to make outfits. I know I have a potential style you might enjoy.” It was a subtle shift, but given she was paying attention, she could see Rosie’s expression, she could see her gaze fall down to her shoes. It caused her to instinctually make a cautionary step back. “I was thinkin’ we could trade. Or at the very least, make a reasonable barter if you do need the cash.”
She didn’t, in all reality. The sales she was gaining from selling her weapons already earned her a sizable home attached to her factory. The money was hardly an issue, but she wasn’t about to not get something out of this with a woman willing to create something in return. “We’ll see the value depending on what you were wanting.” Carmilla said firmly, though without aggression. “Mutual commission is not something I have dealt with before.”
“You won’t find any sturdier clothes, or anythin’ easier to get blood out of.” Rosie spoke proudly of her craft, the confidence was nearly radiating. “Woman of your type of craft, you probably literally have to fend off contendin’ demons and sinners off with the weapons you make, huh?”
It wasn’t often, but that was why she was well guarded and well armed. “I do, yes.” She finally pulled her arms to settle behind her, taking in everything presented to her. Another Overlord wanted commission, and she wanted to trade tit for tat. It wasn’t unheard of, and she wasn’t entirely positive she wanted to refuse either. Clothing for herself was hard to get by, and most things she wore needed to be sleeveless with the state of her hands. “What is it that you even want?” She decided to ask then, curious as to what she could want so badly that she was willing to try and make this sort of trade happen.
“Well…” Rosie lingered on the question for a moment, seeming a little sheepish. “The last extermination almost did me in early. I had to fend some stragglers off and, well, my last ‘weapon’ so to speak broke. I figured no one better to come to for a new one than you.” She held her hands together, threaded her fingers as they lingered by the side of her face. “I had an umbrella, you see, that I used to defend myself. The end was long and I used it like a fencing rapier. I know your weapons are regarded as the strongest and sturdiest, regardless of whether or not they’re ‘blessed’, whatever that means.” Rosie pulled her hands up to make ‘air quotes’, making a bit of a face as though she was suspicious of the term, then returned more neutral. “So, I was hoping you could make me a new one! And in return, I’ll make whatever you want for a new outfit.”
An umbrella. That was certainly unconventional of a weapon, but it was no worse than what she used for her own self defense; it was no wonder she had looked down at her feet, it was all subtle. This woman dealt in subtlety it seemed. The deal was also hardly one she could deny, given an umbrella wasn’t terribly complicated of an item. She pulled one of her hands to put a finger on her chin in thought. “I suppose such a trade wouldn’t be unfair.” She glanced to the side towards a window, briefly peering outside to the rest of Pride. “A simple design. Extendable tip to behave more like a rapier. Reinforced fabric so it won’t shred…” She would have to start sketching ideas when she got back home.
Rosie seemed pleased to hear it, if that delighted hum that captured her attention was anything to go off of. She looked back to see her quite delighted. “Splendid!” She almost cheered. “Since this is clearly more of a business venture than a quick little favor, how about we meet for tea sometime to discuss it? There’s this cute little shop in the middle of the city that sells fresh ladyfingers I heard so many nice things about. Both the cookies and actual fingers, ain’t that a delight?”
Carmilla blinked for a moment. “The cookies… and actual fingers?” she raised an eyebrow. “As in, to consume?”
“Yeah, what else would they be for? Stirring your tea?” Rosie gave a little giggle as she waved her hand regarding it. “I mean I’d do that too, it tastes so good if the fingers have been cleaned right- oh! Where are my manners?” It seemed in the moment she realized something quite important, and she looked quite guilty. “Sorry, sometimes I forget not everyone down here will eat anything that you can, well, eat.”
That’s what it was. Rosie was the Overlord that happened to rule over a small colony of cannibalistic sinners and demons alike. No one knew how exactly she grew the population of that little colony, but that was how she amassed her power; seemingly converting other people to cannibalism. That was one thing Carmilla could not possibly understand or wrap her head around. Meat was meat, protein was protein, that much she was aware of, but she couldn’t convince herself to do such a thing. “Regardless, if you say they serve food for all diets, then I suppose there is no harm in meeting there.” Carmilla lifted the case at last, feeling a little flustered and a touch overwhelmed. “Tuesday, one o’clock, sound appropriate?” She needed time to come up with sketches and time to mentally prepare herself to witness cannibalism in person.
It didn't seem to damper Rosie one bit, though. “Sure! Sounds as good of a time as any. Gives me plenty of time to draw up some rough sketches for you too.” She was nearly beaming in her cheery expression and tone. “I’ll see you there, Carmilla. Don’t be late~” The last bit came off nearly as a sing song, and she turned her back at last to take her leave.
She left just as she had come back in. Brash with no room left otherwise. She was surely a presence, that was undeniable. Carmilla felt her chest almost hollow, yet rampant with her heart going astray.
That woman was as charming as she was convoluted. What a mystery to be, so full of emotion and yet so lack of ways to express it. There was something about her as a whole that was intriguing and confusing, and yet, she was drawn in by the sheer concept of fencing with an umbrella.
What a perplexing, yet entirely darling Overlord. Carmilla felt herself smile only a touch as she picked up the case and made her way out at last, having little issue to walk back to her home. She would have plenty of fun designing that weapon, as unique and unassuming as the woman who was set to wield it.