Blood Thinner

Chapter 4: Blood Transfer

*Chapter 4*

The recording of V&V vs. People spread its branches and roots throughout Rageon media quicker than wildfire.

Needless to say, the usually divided internet came together for the sole agreement that they got what they deserved and Judge Halo's ruling was as righteous as previous ones. Many discussed the ownership of all music used with BroZone's talent and if they should have all V&V hits in their hands, plus revenue. Others argued that Floyd went way too easy on Veneer but remained satisfied with the harsh punishment Velvet faced.

YouTube flooded with conspiracies on the two and what wasn't said inside of court. Harassment of the duo rained and poured all around Twitter and Instagram, especially on the latter. Both accounts were hit heavily with sour comments praying for a downfall worse than jail time — which fell right in the middle of possible and not.

The most notable silent associate with the stars was Kid Ritz himself, who actively kept their names out of his social media. It's theorized that he did this so no one would suspect he had anything to do with the scandal or to save his ratings: both were understandable.

Veneer knew this solely from scrolling through Angel's phone a couple months into his 8-year sentence. As disgusting as this roach-infested, colorless establishment looked, Veneer forced adjustment to make things easier for himself. That included not being a diva and taking advantage of Angel's spoiling, which gave him access to the outside world he so quickly refused before.

Anything to forget the long, dreadful decades he'd have to go without Velvet.

Even now he didn't understand why she did what she did after the constant fight she put up before. Angel made a joke saying it was because he was right about Velvet not caring and she wanted to stay away from him after his confession stunt — Veneer found no humor in that.

Now he's on Instagram scrolling his mind away. Angel's out doing his business and now he's in their cell with nothing but the media as company.

As he turns on his stomach, he comes upon Ritz's account.

Envy Curiosity gets the best of him and miraculously takes him to his profile.

...The amount of followers he had was insane. But well deserved. Every single post below his name only proved Veneer's point and made his heart rate go up a little more.

The thing he liked most about Ritz was the fact he was so easy to be around. His contagious smile infected every vulnerable Rageon around him as well as his laugh. His charisma and hyped disposition are the exact things that pulled his audience and followers to him and kept them there.

Ironically, that's the exact thing Veneer needed in his life.

Someone like Ritz — a big ball of energy with a concerningly good way with people —- could turn this nightmare into a dream.

He was already Veneer's dream.

There were videos and images of behind-the-scenes content, spoilers for upcoming interviews, and even surprising evidence that he truly did hang out with those he interviewed. Long before he met the ex-stars, Veneer caught Ritz and one of his favorite movie stars sticking their tongues out at the RageDome and throwing up peace signs. The next slide showed a hilarious moment of Ritz failing miserably at bowling — and still jumping and high-fiving the movie star as if he were the best bowler in the world.

That made a ghost of a smile appear on Veneer. He found Ritz attractive inside and out...how could he not? When Velvet first called in the interview for them, she didn't tell him to beware the magic of their interviewer's smile nor to shield himself of his comforting energy.