(Quest Vote) SongsTress Quest Episode 27 - You Let Your Heart Go Too Fast (Patreon)

The Story So Far...

Go in yourself and kiss her. You need a diabolical partner in crime to handle all the backstage setup anyway.

… And why not enjoy it in person? This jerk's caused you plenty of pain - time to enjoy her surrender.

You blow your audience a kiss as you spin around on stage, waving them all good bye for a brief hiatus - the perfect time to go buy snacks, merch, and sign up for the fan club! - before your stage platform lowers you down, out of sight, and leaves them wanting more.

This is your lair, your home, your domain. You're practically a god here, and the walls of reality bend to your will. Or, well, the walls of the building, at least, all moving around to give you a quick path to wherever you want to go. And your destination is a certain supply closet not too far into the rats nest that are the tunnels beneath your stage...

"Oh little Serenity~" You purr, striding up to the door and pulling it open. "If you're looking for a new job, I have an opening for a backstage manager. You'll be out of the spotlight, handling all the little details I can't be bothered with, and you'll never have time to bother anyone with your lousy art ever again. It's perfect for you! What do you say?"

Yeah, it's a petty taunt, but you've earned that much, haven't you?

Uh. Actually. Have you? Because the pile of cleaning supplies that you thought Painter was buried under is looking awfully, uh, flat. It's almost like there isn't a Serenity under there at a-

"Colour Cascade!" Your instincts scream in a second too late as Painter swings down from the ceiling, her giant paintbrush already slashing. A spray of colour slams into you and sends you flying across the hallway.

"Gah!" Your back slams into the wall behind you - and stays there, stuck in place. You're being held up by- Paint? Is this green paint? Did she just paint you onto the wall? That little...!

Serenity Painter emerges from the supply closet, looking a little worse for wear - her headphones are gone (score!) and it looks like she's been doused in a few cleaning chemicals - but she's absolutely still on her feet. How!? You were watching her through the cameras, there was no way she could have...

… You glance towards the camera in question. There's a post-it note slapped over it, one dripping with paint. Did... Did she paint an image of herself defeated to fool you with while you were distracted by your song? Goddamnit. You'd be impressed if it wasn't so annoying.

"Really? You're kidding. Do you not know how to quit?

This ball's already rolling girl, and sorry, you ain't it.

You got a lotta gumption, sure, this takes a lotta nerve,

So maybe I'll go easy if you take your knee and serve!"

It's a hasty attempt at a compulsion, and it bears no fruit. Even without her protection, Painter shrugs off your lyrics without an issue. Oh boy. You're singing tough, but you're actually struggling to pull loose of this paint. What did she make this stuff out of, super glue?

"Is it as much of a pain for you to come up with those verses as it is to hear them, or worse?" She asks, tilting her head, before shaking it. "Eh, no matter. I'm putting you out of our misery either way!"

Hmph. Big talk, but you've noticed she's going kind of slow. Did you hit her harder than she let on? Or- Wait, no, hold on, is she gathering-?

"Serenity-!" The end of her paintbrush begins to shine bright white as she lifts it. Your eyes widen. You know that light. Oh no. No no nononononono…!

"SEA-!"

"Miztrezz!" At the last instant, somethings charges in from the side, smacking the brush away and driving Serenity Painter back a few steps. "Ztay back, I zhall hand-el zis!"

Your fashion butterfly has arrived to save you! She floats between you and the Serenity, her wings spread, ready to battle. Oh wow, you've never been so happy to see someone who wasn't you! Now if you could just get down from here...

"God damnit, Lauren..." Painter mutters something that your ears don't quite catch. She looks annoyed though. Girl, samesies.

Well. Okay. This didn't go quite to plan. Now you're stuck to a wall, with only one (fabulous) minion between you and obliteration. What do you do, Queen of the Wallflies?

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