The sun had long since set over Hell, casting everything in a muted magenta glow, the air thick with the scent of dirt and the distant hum of torment. Gem sat at the small, ornate table in her bedroom room, sifting through the various pieces of mail that had accumulated over the last few days. Most of it was just junk—offerings from demons trying to sell her enchanted trinkets or papers from lesser entities begging for favors. But then there was the envelope that made her stomach drop.
It was black—black like a void—and sealed with a red wax stamp in the shape of a television screen. 666 Channel News. The letters were bold and gaudy, glittering in a way that only made Gem's insides twist in disgust. Her fingers trembled slightly as she tore it open, a small part of her already knowing what it would be. And sure enough, when she pulled out the card, the words practically screamed at her.
"You've been invited to appear on 666 Channel News!"
The rest of the invitation was adorned with absurdly flashy text: "Come share your story with the world. Let us capture your beauty and mystery! Interviews with the hottest stars of Hell, including YOU! Don't miss your chance to be in the spotlight!"
Gem's face contorted in a mixture of irritation and dread. She slammed the card onto the table, looking at it as if it were some sort of pest that had crawled into her home. "I hate this." Her voice was low but sharp, her thoughts already racing. The T.V. Demon. She could practically feel his static presence behind this stunt, the insidious way to hypnotize his way into Hell's public life with electronics.
Her niece, sitting cross-legged on the couch, glanced over and raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong? Don't like the idea of being on TV?" Her voice was light, teasing even. She tossed a magazine she snatched from outside, clearly intrigued.
Gem glared at the invitation with a mixture of disgust and resignation. "I told you, it's not about me . It's all about putting on a show. Publicity. Stunts ." She jabbed a finger toward the invitation as if to emphasize the point. "You don't get it. The T.V. Demon probably thinks I'm some prize to be paraded around on his news show to boost his ratings."
Her niece scoffed, unimpressed. "Oh, come on, Aunty. It could be fun. You could be, like, famous in Hell. Think of all the perks—attention, exposure... Maybe you could teach them how to use magic or something."
Gem's eyes narrowed. "Fun?" She huffed, shaking her head. "Do you know what they want? It's not about me dancing, it's about getting me to show off like some kind of freak show for their stupid ratings . They'd ask the dumbest questions just to get a rise out of me."
Her niece thought for a moment, then shrugged. "Eh, okay, maybe not fun. But hey, back in the day, I watched TV just for the ads—especially the ones with Walkman sets, and to get the scoop on concert tickets. At least it was good for that." She grinned at Gem, her playful attitude intact. "You had it better than me. You could probably teach them some real class, Aunty. Give them a taste of real entertainment."
Gem raised an eyebrow, half-amused, half-annoyed. "Walkmans? Oh, now I feel ancient." She leaned back in her chair, the memories of her own time in the living world almost feeling like a distant dream. "Look, it's not about nostalgia. I'm not going to their show." Her voice became more firm, almost defensive. "I'm done with the spotlight. It leads to unwanted attention, and the last thing I need is to be paraded around like a trophy.."
Her niece, seemingly undeterred by Gem's mood, leaned back on the couch with a devilish grin. "Sounds like you're being an introvert. Just relax! Maybe a joint would chill you out, huh?" Her tone was teasing, almost daring Gem to disagree.
Gem groaned in exasperation. "A joint? Really? I don't need a joint, I need some peace." But then she paused, eyes softening. "Though, maybe... I could use a little distraction." She stared at the invitation once more, her gaze far away as she considered the prospect of doing something different—stepping out of the monotonous routine that had slowly taken over her after her death.
After a long, heavy silence, Gem sighed and stood up. "Fine, but you're coming with me."
Her niece's face lit up instantly. "You're the best!"
—
Arriving at 666 Channel News not long after. The building loomed large, dark, and intimidating, with neon lights and a towering sign flashing constantly. "666 CHANNEL NEWS: YOUR SOURCE FOR ALL HELL'S HAPPENINGS!" it screamed in all its obnoxious glory. As they entered, the glass doors automatically parted, revealing unorganized cords coiled along the dirty floor for cameras and interns who typed hurriedly on their computers for the schedules that probably they didn't manage themselves. The air was thick with the smell of cheap perfume and the faint hum of low chatter.
Gem's eyes narrowed at the unclean organization and cheap seventies decor. She could already feel her patience draining by the second. The receptionist—an imp dressed in a tight suit with a garish red bowtie—greeted them with a fake smile and ushered them toward the elevator.
As the elevator doors opened, they were immediately confronted by the staff—demon producers, camera imps, and various other creatures milling around in the waiting area. They all eyed Gem with too much interest, whispers of The Mirror Demon floating around like a cloud of smoke.
Then, there she was.
Katie Killjoy—the infamous anchor of Hell's most-watched news show. Towering demoness with sharp features, red eyes, and a smile that could cut glass. Her blond hair was solidified by probably too much hair spray, and her sharp, pointed painted nails gleamed under the studio lights. As soon as she spotted Gem, she straightened, her smile widening like a predator spotting its prey.
"Ah! The Mirror Demon, how wonderful to meet you in person!" Katie's voice was as saccharine as her smile, dripping with an almost mockingly polite tone. She extended a long, clawed hand toward Gem. "You're even more... more mysterious than they said. And look at you! So delicate , so pale ."
Gem didn't take her hand, instead giving Katie a flat look. "Mysterious? I'm not here to be mysterious. I'm here because you sent me an invitation I didn't ask for."
Katie's grin only widened, and she waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, don't be coy, honey. We're all friends here. After all, who could resist an interview with the star of the moment?"
Gem took a quick look behind the demoness which wasn't much given her waist was thinner than probably her own, seeing her co-partner Tom Trench lounging in his chair.
Before she could respond, Katie's gaze shifted to the niece, who stood behind her, still looking slightly lost in the chaos of the studio. "And who's this? Your pet ?" Katie sneered, her eyes scanning the niece with barely concealed disdain. "Don't worry, dear. I'll be sure to get you something to eat while we start the show."
The niece blinked, completely caught off guard. "I—uh... thanks?" She was unsure whether to be flattered or insulted, but either way, Katie's tone rubbed her the wrong way. She tried to keep her mouth shut and just followed behind.
They were ushered to a back room where the cameras were being prepped. Gem glanced around at the set, immediately spotting a few familiar faces: the crew, the camera imps, and a few guest demons who were laughing at something one of the producers had said. None of them looked too impressed with her—except, of course, for Katie, who was practically vibrating with excitement to put her on display.
The interview began, and at first, everything seemed relatively harmless—questions about Gem's rise to power in Hell, her mysterious nature, and her thoughts on the social dynamics of the circles. But soon, Katie started pushing harder. The questions became more pointed, more personal. "So, Gem, tell us—do you enjoy being the center of attention?" she asked with a sly smile. "Do you feel like a queen of Hell's damned souls?"
Gem's eyes narrowed, her patience waning. "You think I came here for that ?" She shot a glance at the camera. "This is all a joke to you, isn't it?"
Katie's smile only sharpened. "A joke? No, Gem. It's entertainment. You are the entertainment."
At that, Gem snapped. She stood up abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor as she threw a cold, venomous look toward Katie. "Don't talk to me like I'm some puppet for your ratings! Did Vox put you up to this?! Did he want a show?!"
Her body elongated seeming to crack in a few places revealing deep green like her outer pale green skin was just a covering. Her eyes silted and her nails turned to sharp white claws.
Katie's smile twisted into something more sinister not disturbed by Gem's changed appearance. "You don't have a choice, Gem. We all have our roles to play. You're just lucky you're being given a chance to be a star."
Gem wasn't having it. "You're an insufferable little—"
The verbal battle erupted into full force, the two demons yelling at each other in front of the cameras as the rest of the staff watched, amused.
Meanwhile, the niece stood at the back of the studio, watching the entire exchange with wide eyes. She couldn't help but be amused—this was the last thing she expected to see. Her aunt, usually so calm and composed, was now yelling at one of the most infamous demons on television.
"Well, this got interesting ," niece muttered, crossing her arms.