Sock and Buskin

**Sock and Buskin** are minor supporting antagonists in the *Divine Comedy*.

Though appearing as a duo of conjoined twins, Sock and Buskin are actually a singular entity with split personalities taking separate forms that are attached to the other. They are powerful Overlords that specialize in acting, direction, and performance arts.

## Appearance

Sock and Buskin is a demon with two personalities sharing one body and the same abilities. They have an avian appearance and are covered in black feathers. They have spiky hair, and on their faces are two drama masks that represent the two demons. These masks are presumably their actual faces, although they never move or change whenever the two speak or display emotions that contradict the masks' expressions.

They wear a dark purple suit with matching dress pants, a pink bowtie, a white undershirt with black buttons, and dark purple and gold-colored shoes. Finally, they sport a pinkish-red cape with gold trimmings, and drama masks on the shoulders.

## History

### Background

Sock and Buskin was initially a sinner named Augustus Dumont and was a famous English playwright and actor that lived during the 17th century. He also lived alongside fellow Overlord Zestial who was a famed French poet. Augustus was known as the Bard who was known for his meticulous narratives and plays that explore the darkest confines of tragedy and what leads to such tragedy. He was also said to have been in major competition with another famous playwright by the name of William Shakespeare.

However, unbeknownst to most, Augustus suffered from a split personality disorder that likely stemmed from his deep obsession of acting and love for the stage itself. He was so consumed with his character that the character he crafted became a part of his very being and even named itself Julius; Carmilla states that the whole thing was as if Shakespeare wrote *Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde*. He was also quite the perfectionist to the point where he would often overwork his actors to sheer exhaustion and if they misplaced a line or role would go so far as to kill them. The murders he commits were a result of his second personality goading him to do so but when hesitant, takes over his body, and performs the deed themselves. Augustus, the main persona, would be unaware of the killings made by his other half, Julius.

Perhaps most surprising is that Augustus was once loved by Titania the fairy queen, who would often visit him in the guise of a mortal. This only spurned rage and hatred from a jealous Oberon who began to torment Augustus with the phantoms of Julius's victims. Oberon used the phantoms to mentally torment Augustus into making him believe that someone is killing his stars to sabotage his play. This dilemma only gets complicated by a tangled web of characters, forcing Augustus to negotiate friends, family, associates, and love interests. It only results in Augustus having a breakdown where he constantly switches between thought and action with Julius which leads to his demise, having killed himself and dying in Titania's arms.

### Arrival in Hell

Augustus was condemned to Hell and placed in the Pride and Fraud Circles. His punishment involved having his second personality Julius take a form of its own and be forever attached to his body unable to escape and always look at the monster he had created that brought his stage to shambles. The two would be called Sock and Buskin, naming themselves after two ancient symbols of comedy and tragedy; Julius would be Comedy and Augustus would be Tragedy.

Sock and Buskin's powers grew in Hell until they eventually reached the status of an Overlord. They would kidnap sinners and force them to perform in their plays and musicals, all with the intention of making successful thespians out of their victims. They also developed a rivalry of sorts with the Movie Demon Wilfred, but struck a friendship with other Overlords like Zestial, Carmilla, and Julia the Opera Demon who is a major admirer of their work.

## Trivia

* Sock and Buskin's theme song would be "Confrontation" by Anthony Warlow.
* Sock claims that Shakespeare based his play *Hamlet* off of him.
* Sock and Buskin are members of a demonic trio known as the Three Tenors which consist of Zestiel and Julia.
* It is revealed that Sock and Buskin are the reason why the fae provide a tithe to Hell every seven years. Titania refused to hand them over to Hell as she has fallen in love with the playwright which nearly made Hell take Avalon into its maw in retaliation.
* Sock and Buskin are drawn to drama and tragedy to where they throw hammy monologues at any scenario with such thematics.
* Both Sock and Buskin have separate crushes or lovers; Sock is attracted to Julia whilst Buskin is in love with Titania.