VD - Dirty Politics Part 2

“We quit,” the voice says through the door. “Sorry about not giving notice. Family emergency.”

You take that in. Demi and Tari look wary.

“That’s OK,” Demi says. “We understand. Now let us in.”

“Um, can’t do that. Not sure how to tell you this. Um, we don’t work for you anymore, so doing what you say is kind of optional now,” the voice says.

“Of course. Of course. But this is my property,” Demi says.

“About that,” the voice replies.

Demi and Tari each raise an eyebrow.

“Are you trying to steal my castle?” Demi asks, baffled.

“Well, it’s our castle. No stealing, uh, needed.”

“How do you figure?” Tari asks, sounding more fascinated than bothered.

“It’s in the contract. Sorry, I’m busy. See you!”

You don’t see her hurry away from the door, but you’re imagining it.

Tari and Demi exchange another look, then clap their hands in unison. A massive blast of blue smoke explodes in the air and a demon emerges: a handsome, older guy with fuchsia skin, short horns, and impeccable muscle tone. He’s also naked and erect. He looks annoyed. You’ve met him. This is the family lawyer.

“Not a great time,” he says.

“Tom, what’s going on here? How can they lock me out of my own castle?” Demi asks bluntly.

Tom looks up at the castle, then snaps his fingers. A suit appears on his body and some scrolls appear in the air.

“Well, it’s not yours for starters,” he says, showing her a scroll.

“Wait, seriously?” you ask. “They can just take it?”

“They can’t take it,” Demi murmurs, scanning the scroll. “But we can give it to them. It says that you gave it to them, Riley.”

“What? That’s crazy,” you say.

“Contract language says that if they built it, they can have it,” Demi says, giving you a strange look. “I’m confused, Riley.”

“I’m confused! I didn’t give it to them. Wait.” You frown and remember. The campaign trail and everything have been so crazy… but there was crazy stuff before that too. Everything is crazy in Demon World. Did you forget something? No.

You shake your head.

“I didn’t,” you say. “In fact, Lady D said that they would build it for free.”

Demi and Tari’s mouths drop open. “What?”

“Yeah.” You shrug. “So I said sure when she offered. I totally didn’t give it to them.”

Demi smacks her hand against her face. “You totally did.”

“That’s illegal, Riley,” Tari tells you with a groan. “Nobody works for free in Demon World. We aren't savages. We have worker protection laws. If you didn’t pay for it, you can’t have it.”

“Wait, she scammed me?”

“Was there fucking involved when she got you to agree to this?” Demi asks.

“Maybe,” you say defensively. "I thought it was a good deal!"

Demi and Tari both sigh and stare at you.

“Are we good here?” Tom asks.