Infernal Rivalry - The Clash Of Vox And Alastor

Chapter 34: Photo Time

(Alastor's POV)

As I descended the stairs into the cozy kitchen, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee greeted me, coaxing a contented sigh from my lips. I busied myself with preparing my morning cup, the ritual a comforting routine. Before long, Vox joined me in the kitchen, his presence injecting a vibrant energy into the room. "Good morning, Vox" I greeted him with a warm smile, gesturing towards the coffee pot. "Coffee?". He nodded appreciatively, pouring himself a mug of the steaming liquid. "Thanks, Al" he replied, taking a sip and letting out a satisfied hum. "How did you sleep?". I shrugged nonchalantly, taking a sip of my own coffee. "Not too bad" I admitted, glancing at he with a curious expression. "How about you? You seem chipper this morning". He grinned, a spark of excitement dancing in his eyes. "Yeah, I'm feeling pretty good" he admitted, leaning against the counter. "Valentino and I have been working on some new projects together, and things are really starting to take off".

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by hiss enthusiasm. "Oh? That's great to hear," I remarked, masking my surprise. Despite my initial reservations about Valentino, it seemed that he and Vox were forging a successful partnership. "Yeah, it's been really fun" Vox continued, his voice animated. "We've got some exciting ideas in the works, and I think this collaboration could be really beneficial for both of us". I nodded, offering him an encouraging smile. "I'm glad to hear it" I replied sincerely. "Just make sure to keep an eye on him, alright? Valentino seems....". Vox chuckled, cutting me off, shaking his head in amusement. "Don't worry, Al" he reassured me, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "I've got everything under control. And besides, what's life without a little unpredictability?". I couldn't help but chuckle at Vox's response, realizing that perhaps I had underestimated the bond forming between him and Valentino. As we continued to chat over our morning coffee, I couldn't shake the feeling that there were interesting times ahead.

"Will you be joining me for the broadcast tonight?" I asked Vox as we both drank our morning coffees. He glanced up from his cup, a spark of interest flickering in his eyes. "Oh, the broadcast? Yeah, I was planning on it" he replied, a hint of excitement in his voice. "Wouldn't miss it for the world". I chuckled at his enthusiasm, appreciating his support. "Glad to hear it" I said with a nod. "It's always more lively with your presence". He grinned, looking pleased by the invitation. "Looking forward to it, Al" he said, taking a sip of his coffee. "Should be a good show tonight". As we finished our drinks and went about our morning routines, I couldn't help but have a feeling of warmth inside knowing that Vox would be by my side for the broadcast later that evening.

As we prepared for the evening's broadcast, Vox and I found ourselves engaged in our usual pre-show banter. Amidst the flurry of activity in the studio, he brought up a conversation he'd had with Valentino about upgrading. "Valentino was talking to me about how things are more modern now than they were before," he mentioned, his expression thoughtful. "He mentioned how TVs are more popular, but they don't have quite the same aesthetic appeal as my head". He paused, a hint of uncertainty in his voice. "I was wondering if I could change, upgrade, since I'm technology" he added, casting a glance at me for input. I listened to Vox's musings, feeling a pang of reluctance at the idea of him changing his appearance. "You're perfect as you are, Vox" I reassured him, my tone firm. "You don't need to change. It's not an upgrade; it's just altering what makes you unique. Your character and charm are what set you apart".

As his screen flickered with a pinkish hue, I could sense his uncertainty lingering in the air. Leaning forward slightly, I maintained eye contact, my expression filled with genuine sincerity. "You're more than just your appearance" I continued, my tone soft but firm. "You're a testament to innovation, a manifestation of creativity. Changing your form won't enhance what's already remarkable about you". I paused, letting my words sink in before continuing. "Besides, who are we trying to impress? We've carved our own paths, defied expectations, and embraced our uniqueness. Don't let the desire for conformity cloud your judgment. Embrace your individuality, Vox. That's what sets you apart and makes you truly extraordinary". His screen glitched slightly as he processed my words, the pinkish hue fading into a more subdued tone. With a faint smile, he nodded in agreement, a sense of reassurance washing over him. "Thanks, Al" he murmured, his voice tinged with gratitude. "I needed to hear that" I returned his smile, reaching out and squeezing his hand gently. "Anytime" I replied, my voice filled with warmth. "Remember, you're not just technology. You're Vox, and that's more than enough".