Chapter Text
"Well, it wasn't the worst activity day..." Charlie sat on the hotel couch, Vaggie beside her, her hand on Charlie's knee. They had just barely kept Cherri for the thirty minutes before she had headed off to do whatever she wanted, Angel had come downstairs three hours later looking exhausted, and Mimzy was constantly trying to talk over Charlie for the entire duration of the activity.
"We have definitely had worse. You know it takes Sinners a bit to warm up to the idea." Vaggie was doing her damnedest to cheer Charlie up. "Angel didn't take things seriously for a long time. But now look at him!" She gestured to Angel who was sitting on a nearby chair, scrolling on his phone, his feet kicked up. Charlie looked at Angel then back at Vaggie, unsure of the exact point she was trying to make. "I mean, not right this second, obviously. But, in general, think of how far Angel has come."
"I know... you're right." Charlie had been fighting for this dream for so long, and even if Heaven didn't see things her way... she knew she had made a difference. Maybe that was all that mattered in the end?
"Why are you both staring at me and whispering?" Angel must have noticed their glances, because he spoke up. "Do I got somethin' on my face?"
"No! No!" Charlie held up her hands as if she had been caught stealing. "It's just..." she reached down to squeeze Vaggie's hand still resting on her knee. "I'm proud of you, that's all." Angel looked up from his phone, squinting at Charlie.
"Am I dying?"
"What? No!" Charlie shook her head. "Why would you be dying!?"
"Are you dying?" Angel squinted harder.
"Nobody's dying!" Charlie wasn't sure from where this train of thought had originated. But she was ready to snuff it right out. After they had just fought for their very lives, she couldn't stand the thought of losing another friend.
"We're all dying if you think about it. Nothing is forever." Niffty's voice made Charlie scream as she lifted her legs up just in time for Niffty to crawl out from under the couch. She even felt Vaggie flinch, pulling Charlie a little closer to her.
"Oookay. That's enough talk about dying!" Charlie clapped her hands together, her feet still drawn up to her chest on the couch as Niffty started to dust. "Let's talk about something else!"
"Where'd Smiles go?" Angel seemed to have finally noticed his absence. Charlie carefully put her feet back on the floor as Niffty moved to clean the table.
"Out doing errands."
"For real?" Angel looked unconvinced.
"I mean... I assume so?" Charlie gave an uncomfortable little shrug. "I don't really ask too many questions when he leaves." He rarely gave a direct answer when she did, so it wasn't really worth pressing him for details. If he wanted her to know, he would tell her. But Charlie trusted that whatever he was off doing, it was probably nothing too concerning... this time.
"That's probably for the best." Husk replied from behind the bar. He put down one of the glasses he had been cleaning. "He doesn't like when people prod in his business."
"He could try prodding my business if you know what I mean. Might get that stick out of his ass~" Angel grinned looking over at Husk who looked far from amused. "What? It was a joke!"
"I wouldn't make that joke around him. He's been in a mood lately. Though he seemed in strangely good mood this morning..." Husk remarked, he didn't sound... upset, just... cautious? Was that the right word for it?
"How can you tell?" Angel smirked. "He's all smiles all the time."
"I can tell." Husk replied flatly.
"I hope he's okay..." Charlie hadn't really had time to catch up with Alastor since the fight. He had been rather elusive, but that wasn't exactly a new trait. Alastor liked to play things close to the chest.
"I hope who's okay?"
Charlie jumped for the second time. Angel came completely out of his chair, falling on the ground. She turned to see Alastor standing in the entrance, his arms full of bags, his smile a bit wider than usual. She saw Husk immediately look back down at the glasses on the bar. Angel had his hand on his chest as he tried to catch his breath. "Fucking Christ Almighty! How long have you been there, asshole!?"
"Long enough."
Charlie wasn't sure if it was just her imagination or not, but she could have sworn Alastor was looking directly at Husk. She cleared her throat, peeling herself away from Vaggie, whom she had instinctively grabbed when Alastor had startled them. "Welcome back!"
"Why thank you! I had a very productive day out." He nodded to the bags in his hands and Charlie's expression immediately brightened.
"You got the groceries!? That's so nice of you!" She got to her feet taking the bags out if his arms, eager to help put them up. She reached for one that looked like it had already been ripped open, but Alastor stopped her.
"Not that one, my dear."
"Oh," Charlie withdrew her hand rather quickly. "Um... sorry about that."
"Don't be!" Perhaps Husk was right, Alastor did seem to be in an almost suspiciously good mood today. "It's just more yarn." As if proving his point (and to be fair, Charlie really didn't always believe him) he pulled a nice thick skein of yarn out of his bag.
"Oh!" A wave of relief washed over Charlie. "Did you finish that sweater you made for Rosie?" It was nice that Alastor had offered to make Rosie something as a thank you. Charlie was currently making gift baskets for all the Cannibals who had valiantly laid their lives down on the line for Charlie and her dream. She had one for Rosie too, of course, but it made her feel better knowing that she had already gotten a little token of gratitude.
"Shipped it off in Hell-Mail while I was out!"
"Oh, that's what was in your package?" Vaggie was helping Charlie put away the groceries (she was just so sweet that way). "You know you could have just said that when I asked."
"Indeed I could have! But I didn't!"
"I still can't believe you fucking knit." Angel was back up in his chair again. "So does that make you some kinda hooker?"
"Well the sweater was crochet- the hooks are also crochet, actually, so everything you just said was wrong. But I do knit so I can let you off on a technicality."
"Just," Angel was laughing, "the big bad Radio Demon making little sweaters. It's fucking funny, right?" He looked around the room for confirmation.
"Ah yes, it must be difficult for you to comprehend having a hobby outside of one's main personality trait, but I assure you it does happen."
"Listen here you sack of shit, I don't gotta take that-" Angel was on his feet, getting into Alastor's personal space. Charlie instantly inserted herself between the two. They had just survived Extermination Day; she was not about to have round two in her hotel.
"Okay! Let's both calm down! Angel happens to have lots of hobbies, Alastor! And they are all quite wonderful!" She gave Angel a reassuring smile. "So why don't we all just settle down and focus on having a nice evening."
"Yeah yeah, whatever." Angel did seem to be calmer now, though Charlie was a little worried Alastor's comments may have put him in a bad mood.
"Why don't we all have a grand night out again!?" Charlie clapped her hands together loudly. "Wouldn't that be lots of fun!?" She hadn't technically been on the last big night out, but she had seen it all from Heaven's display. She knew she could completely trust Angel if she allowed them to have a night on the town.
"For real?" That definitely seemed to have improved Angel's mood. "Is that even your scene, Miss Goodie Two-Shoes?"
"Yeah! It could be fun! I mean I don't do it all the time but you really earned it after everything we have been through." Charlie looked at Vaggie who smiled and nodded. It wouldn't be terrible for Charlie to have a nice night out with her friends either. She could relax, think about something other than the Exterminations, Heaven, and what their Retaliation may be.
"I am texting Cherri right fucking now. If we are taking you of all demons out clubbing, I need backup." Angel was excited. "I gotta change. I am not going out like this. But first:" He stopped halfway up the stairs, "we ain't doing any feel good exercises. None of that Kumbaya bullshit. Got that? This is fun only. "
"Got it! Just fun! No holding hand around a campfire- though that would be a good activity for next time! Great suggestion Angel!" Charlie could hear him groaning as he made his way up the stairs, but she ignored it, turning her attention, instead, onto the room's other main occupant. "What about you Alastor?"
"No thank you." He patted the remaining bags in his arms. "I have had quite enough fun for one day. I think I will stay here, maybe get started on a scarf."
"If you're sure." Charlie had assumed he would turn them down. She had trouble imagining Alastor going out to a modern club. "We should probably invite Mimzy too..."
"We don't have to." Vaggie assured her. "Especially if this is supposed to be a celebration for our whole big last stand ordeal since she literally did nothing."
"Yes, but," Charlie both took her hands in her own, "it's rude to invite everyone except her. Mimzy is in this hotel too."
"Fiiiiiiine." Vaggie sighed dramatically and Charlie couldn't help but giggle at her theatrics. She had a feeling Vaggie was just trying to make her smile. She leaned down and pressed a kiss on her girlfriend's nose.
"Thank you."
Vaggie smiled as Charlie released her hands. "You're lucky you're so cute." She leaned up, returning Charlie's little kiss with one of her own before turning to walk over to the stairway that led up into the hotel living quarters. "YO MIMZY! WE'RE GOING OUT. YOU WANT IN OR NO!?"
It was only a minute or so before the small blonde poked her head out from the hallway. "I was in an important business meeting!"
"So, you don't want to go out on the town with us?" Vaggie folded her arms over her chest, raising her eyebrow.
"I... well I never said that." Instantly, Mimzy's tone changed. She began fixing her hair with her fingers. "I could easily get more sales out and about."
"Hurry and get ready. You have till Angel's done, and no bringing your products! This is fun only." Vaggie shooed Mimzy with her hands and Mimzy quickly scurried back to her room. In truth, Angel could take quite a while to get ready, so there really wasn't a huge rush, but they weren't going to tell Mimzy that.
"We're going out tonight!?" The doors flew open, and Cherri burst her way in, a bit of blood still on her clothing. Charlie frowned, but it wasn't her place to judge. Redemption was a process (if it even worked at all... no, Charlie, don't think like this. It could work. It would work.)
"Yep!" Charlie smiled brightly, pushing those negative thoughts away. This was about having fun! "Angel is already getting ready if you want to-" Charlie didn't even get to finish her sentence as Cherri barreled past her and up the stairs. "... okay then." Charlie blinked after her. "I guess she's excited."
"Very." Vaggie returned to Charlie's side. "I think everyone is." She slid her arm under Charlie's. "I think it's a good idea." Despite the grand re-opening party. Everyone still seemed to be quite on edge. Charlie, herself, had been feeling a little antsy. Maybe two celebrations in two days was excessive, but she felt as if she needed something to distract her mind or she would just linger on everything she had done wrong in the fight.
"I hope so..." Charlie reached over, placing her hand on Vaggie's as she gently held Charlie's arm.
"I know so."
"Hey, why don't we get ready too!?" She could use the distraction. "You could wear that cute black dress I got you!" Plus, it might be fun for her and Vaggie to get all dolled up together. Charlie rarely did so, but this might be a nice change of pace.
"That sounds fun." Vaggie took her by the arm, leading her playfully up the stairs. Charlie had a feeling Vaggie was working incredibly hard to make Charlie feel better, and she appreciated it. Despite the secrets Vaggie had withheld, Charlie knew, without a doubt, that Vaggie only had her best interests at heart. (Or whatever Angel's have).
"What should I wear?" Charlie threw open her closet, staring at all the identical red suits with a perplexed expression. When she had an outfit she liked, she tended to buy in bulk. Still, this was going to be a nice occasion, she wanted to dress up.
"What about that red dress we got last time we were out shopping?" Vaggie suggested from behind her.
"Oh right! I think it's still in the bag..." Charlie had to fish it out from underneath a pile of very cute faced stuffed animals that Vaggie had won her last time they went out on an actual date. (It had been way too long since their last one. The hotel was taking up so much of Charlie's time. Suddenly she was even more excited about going out. She and Vaggie could share a few dances~). Charlie pulled the dress from the bag, holding it up to her. It was surprisingly not wrinkled to all hell given how Charlie had treated it. She changed from her suit into the glistening red gown, using the closet vanity to do a quick face of presentable makeup. She even decided to change up her hair just a bit. "I haven't gotten dressed up like this in a while!" She commented, turning around only to see Vaggie had changed into a sleek, black dress with ornate silver accents. (Charlie had picked it out specifically for Vaggie, the colors were Vaggie's favorites after all.) Even her usual bow had been exchanged for a beautiful red hairclip that had technically belonged to Charlie, but the two always exchanged hair accessories for events like this. It was an unspoken tradition.
"Well?" Vaggie did a little spin for her. "What do you think?"
"You..." Charlie had to catch her breath for a moment. "You look stunning." Her expression must have given everything away, because Vaggie chuckled, making an obvious show of looking Charlie up and down.
"I could say the same about you." Vaggie walked over and tilted Charlie's face down with her hands so she could give her a soft kiss. "Red is your color."
"HEY BITCHES ARE YOU COMING OR NOT!?" Angel's voice boomed from somewhere in the adjacent hall. "I DID NOT GET ALL SLUTTED-UP TO STAY IN DOORS!"
"YOU ARE FUCKING FINE!" Vaggie shouted back
"Let me get my shoes!" Charlie had to pull away from Vaggie as she fumbled for a pair of heels from the mess in her closet. She quickly put them on before grabbing Vaggie's hand and dragging her downstairs. "Ready!"
"Aw fuck yeah look at you two!" Angel seemed to instantly approve of the outfits. "We all look hot as fuck right now!" He pulled Charlie and Vaggie into a quick selfie. "This club ain't gonna know what the fuck hit 'em!"
"Damn straight! We are gonna absolutely destroy tonight!" Cherri was also dressed up for the occasion. Even Mimzy had changed her dress to something a little nicer. "Which club are we gonna own tonight, anyway?"
"Oh! I was thinking we could go to Gomorrah; Sodom can get a little too rowdy for my taste." Charlie cringed a bit at the memory of her last visit. She didn't need to repeat a drunken Sinner trying to dance with her, despite her clearly dancing with Vaggie- and then puking all over her dress. Gomorrah was a bit more classy- in fact- it was the nicest club in all of Hell. Charlie had gone there a few times over the years.
"You can get us into Gomorrah?" Angel grabbed Charlie by both her hands. "Tell me you're not bullshitting right now."
"Yeah! It's no big deal."
"It is a very big deal! A fucking huge deal! We are going Gomorrah! Wait, am I dressed like too much of a ho? Or not enough?" Angel began to look himself up and down, letting go of Charlie. Cherri looked him over, deep in thought.
"Personally, I think it's the perfect amount of ho."
"Thank you." Angel looked relieved. "What are we waiting for!? Let's get the fuck outta here!" Immediately he was back in high spirits. He threw the doors to the hotel open, and Charlie couldn't help but laugh as she followed behind, her fingers intertwined with Vaggie's.
This would be a really nice night. Angel was already feeling uplifted; Cherri was feeding off his energy. Husk and Niffty were tagging along, though Husk didn't seem nearly as enthusiastic as the others. Niffty just looked happy to be invited. Mimzy had actually left her product bag (mainly to keep Niffty out of it) but Charlie was glad to see it. It might be nice for Mimzy to enjoy some time away from her job. (Charlie had already been talked into buying several shampoos just to stop Mimzy from freaking out.)
Charlie took the lead as they reached the club in question; the beautiful crystalline building would flash with colors from the lights inside. There was a long line already forming at the door. Usually, Charlie would wait her turn- but this particular line could get quite rowdy, and she was trying to avoid stress right now. She took a deep breath, her arm in Vaggie's, and walked past the line of complaining Sinners and Hellborns to the large Hellhound guarding the front doors.
"Name?" He didn't even bat an eye at her.
"Charlie Morningstar." She tried to stop her voice from squeaking. She hoped this would actually work. He looked at her, then at the group behind her, then down at the list in his hand. "An um... guests..." Charlie gestured to her friends. The hound sighed and reached over lifting the velvet rope.
"Enter."
"Omigosh! Thank you!" Charlie quickly scurried past, as if afraid he might change his mind. Angel instantly followed behind, looking around, eyes wide.
"This place is fucking classy." He stopped to admire himself in one of the reflective crystal pillars that lined the entryway. He looked back at Cherri. "You were right, this is the perfect amount of slutty."
"See? I fucking told you." Cherri put her arm around Angel as they all continued to the main area, several floors all overlooking a glowing crystal dance floor. A live band played as Sinners and Hellborns danced or drank (or both). It wasn't nearly as crowded as other clubs as this particular venue was just for Hell's Elite.
"Pretty!" Niffty seemed enthralled with all the dancing lights around her.
"You've been here before. We both have." Husk was the only one looking unimpressed as he made a B-line straight for a table all the way in the back corner. Charlie was a bit surprised by his reaction but decided to follow him.
"You have?" Charlie echoed back.
"Back when I was an Overlord." He gestured for the others to sit around the table. "C'mon, sit sit, make a circle." He took a glance around, positioning Angel and Cherri directly in the sightline of the bartender. "The alcohol here is overpriced as hell. You're paying out the ass for subpar drinks. So," He took off his top hat, "I came prepared." He gestured to Charlie, "name your drink."
"Any drink?" She blinked uncertainly.
"Any drink."
"An appletini?"
"Coming right up." Husk reached into his hat, pulling out a martini glass. He placed it on the table and then reached in again pulling out four bottles and a shaker in rapid succession. He poured from the bottles into the shaker in a fluid motion and then picked it up, tossing it gracefully and shaking it up before pouring the green liquid into the glass and passing it to Charlie. He swept everything back up into his hat as the others just stared at him in disbelief.
"How did you-" Angel began, but Husk shook his head.
"A good bartender doesn't reveal his secrets. Now gimme a drink."
"Sex on the Beach!"
"On it." Again, Husk pulled the bottles from his hat (different ones this time) and began to mix up a drink for Angel. He went around the table getting everyone's drink orders, somehow pulling all the right ingredients (and glasses) from his hat. Eventually, they all had drinks in their hands and Husk put his hat back on as if nothing had happened. "Let me know if you want more."
"That is the coolest thing I have ever seen you do, just so you know." Angel remarked as he sipped his Sex on the Beach. "What else can you pull outta that hat?" He leaned over the table a bit, getting closer to Husk.
"Just drinks. Calm your shit." Husk replied dryly.
"You're not going to get in trouble for this, are you?" Charlie was a bit concerned. This club could be notoriously strict.
"Only if we get caught. But I know where the security cameras are, so we should be fine." Husk didn't seem concerned, so Charlie chose to put her faith in him. "Do you not like it, Mimzy?"
"Huh?" Mimzy had just been holding her drink in her hand, not taking a sip, but rather, staring intently out at the dance floor where some of the patrons were already dancing and having a good time. "No, it's fine." Husk sighed, heavily.
"Do you owe someone here money or something?"
"No! Of course not!" Her eyes darted quickly around the room. "Hmm, well actually maybe a few. But that's not what I was looking at." She waved her hand dismissively before pointing to a particular Sinner on the dance floor. She was one of several female Sinners all wearing identical red blazers over their party dresses. The Sinner in question had green skin, dark green, short and styled hair, and glowing a singular golden eye with a golden triangle for a pupil sitting more to the right of her face rather than the center like Niffty or Cherri. She had long, vertical red horns, a golden triangle seemed to float in the middle. Charlie squinted, the Sinner looked familiar, but it was hard to tell from where she had seen her before. "That's Mary-Lu! The founder of DamnWay!"
"Oh! That's where I've seen her." Charlie had seen her face on a few ads here and there. She was one of the newer Overlords, good to know she had already built up enough of a power base to earn a way inside the club.
"I didn't know she would be here! I thought she was at a conference!" Mimzy looked almost intimidated.
"Maybe this is the conference?" Charlie gestured to all the other women in the matching blazers. Mimzy's eyes lit up.
"I should be out there with them!" She grabbed Charlie by the hand. "If she sees me with you, she will be so impressed!" Charlie was pulled along behind Mimzy until they were right on the group of Sinners. "Mary-Lu! Mary-Lu!"
"Hm?" She blinked, seemingly looking over Mimzy entirely, her only golden eye falling directly on Charlie. "Princess Morningstar! Well, isn't this just an exciting little meet-up!"
"Oh, yeah, hi." Charlie was never sure how to react when Sinners were instantly friendly. It meant they wanted something from her, and she was really just trying to have a nice night. "I was here with my friends, and Mimzy wanted to-"
"Mary-Lu! Hi!" Mimzy pushed Charlie back. "This is my dear personal friend, the Princess." Mary-Lu looked at Mimzy, only just now seeming to realize she was there. She smiled, pulling out her phone, scrolling on it for a moment, before looking back at Mimzy, the smile much wider.
"Well color me surprised if it isn't Mimzy! One of our newest consultants! Let's have a girl's night selfie!" Mary-Lu slid her way between Mimzy and Charlie, her phone still out, as she snapped a quick picture (Charlie happened to notice the camera was too high for Mimzy to have been in the image at all). "Look at you, Princess, your hair is just so beautiful."
"Oh, um, thank you. But really it was Mimzy-" Charlie didn't even get a chance to finish before Mar-Lu interrupted.
"You know, if you're having trouble with those frizzy fly-aways, we have an oil for that."
"I... um..." Charlie didn't think she had been having trouble with frizz, but her hand instinctively went to her hair, trying to flatten it down.
"Oh, don't be self-conscious! We all deal with them, it's that hellish heat! You just need to change up your hair care routine just a bit. Here," she reached into her pocket and pulled out a bottle with a cute pink label on the front. She handed it to Charlie who had no choice but to take it. "Take a moment to look at the ingredients!"
"Yeah, okay." Charlie couldn't help but think that she could be dancing with Vaggie right now, but instead she was a hostage in this conversation. But the quicker she did what they wanted, the sooner she could go back to enjoying her night. So, she lifted the bottle closer to her face so she could look at the print in the dim, club lighting. Mary-Lu instantly reached back over, turning the bottle slightly in her hand.
"Sorry hun, couldn't see the label."
Charlie was about to point out that Mary-Lu had just turned the label further away, but the flash of a phone camera suggested that Charlie had already done what she needed. It would only be a matter of time till the Princess saw herself in one of those annoying DamnWay ads. "Wow, thank you for letting me look." She handed the bottle back.
"You know, you could join-" Mary-Lu started to offer the opportunity, but Charlie felt as if she had done enough to help Mimzy. It was clear these Sinners only cared about using the Princess's image.
"I actually have a full-time job running a hotel. Thank you." She gave her best royal smile. Mary-Lu looked, for a moment, like she might try and finish the pitch regardless, but something in Charlie's expression made her stop.
"Well, if you change your mind, you know where to find me. And until then, you can get our products from your," she pulled her phone out again, "dear friend..." Charlie sighed.
"Mimzy."
"Of course! Our wonderful, enthusiastic Mimzy!" Mary-Lu turned her attention to Mimzy at long last. "I hope you are out offering the opportunity and building up your Empire!"
"Um, obviously!" Mimzy looked thrilled at the attention. "Why don't we talk shop, I have some questions about-" Mimzy reached out to Take Mary-Lu by the arm but instantly two of the other Sinners in the red blazers stepped in front.
"All questions can be addressed in the training. Which is actually going on right now, isn't it?" Mary-Lu gave Mimzy a little wave. "It was just so super to meet you, girl boss! But this party is for Diamond VPs and above. But I know with that determination you are absolutely going to be here in no time! Right?"
"Yeah?" Mimzy looked a little taken aback at having been stopped.
"I don't hear that DamnWay spirit! Remember, visualize then actualize! You are the only thing holding you back!" Mary-Lu clapped her hands together. "So, let's try again! Who is going to be a Diamond VP in DamnWay!?"
"I am!" Mimzy was looking excited again. Charlie did like the energy, but listening to Mary-Lu's actual words was like looking at uplifting posters. It felt nice in the moment, but there wasn't much substance to them.
"Who!?" Mary-Lu had the rest of the Sinner's join in.
"I AM!" Mimzy pumped her fist in the air.
"You're damn right! We are going to save you a spot at the head table!" Mary-Lu cleared her throat a bit as Mimzy walked forward once more. "When you're ready." She walked back to Charlie, her red-blazer clad Sinners parting like the sea. "Oh, and this is for you. Free sample. But if you use it, just tag us, okay?" She placed a small black bottle in Charlie's hand.
"Shoe glue?" Charlie blinked.
"You never know when you're gonna need it. A girl's gotta be prepared." She smiled a little wider and Charlie could see that Mary-Lu had a serpentine tongue similar to Sir Pentious. "Mimzy, you got this girlfriend! Remember, you have a whole sisterhood of support here with us! Now earn your way to this retreat! See you soon you bad ass babe!"
"You're right! I am a bad ass babe!" Mimzy seemed to be quite pumped up, despite the fact that she had just been completely rejected by this Overlord. Charlie was ready to comfort Mimzy, but it didn't look like she would need it. So, she made her way back to the table where Angel and Cherri had made a game out of asking Husk for more and more obscure drinks.
"How'd that go?" Vaggie gestured for Charlie to return to the seat beside her.
"Super uncomfortable." Charlie placed the little bottle back on the table.
"Why do you have shoe glue?" Vaggie picked up the little bottle, examining it.
"Because they want to exploit my title for sales." Charlie was optimistic, but she wasn't stupid. She had lived her whole life in Hell, seen her mother, father, and even her own image used in various cash grabs throughout the years. Vaggie rolled her eye, putting the bottle on the table, placing her hand over Charlie's.
"Do you wanna dance? Forget about all this shit?"
"Abso-fucking-lutely." Immediately Charlie was on her feet, practically dragging Vaggie onto the dance floor. "So how many drinks has Husk not produced?" Charlie had to speak a bit louder to be heard over the music as the two started to dance.
"None, actually. I am not sure how he's doing it." Vaggie laughed, Charlie felt her worries melting away. This was the whole reason she had gone out. Seeing Vaggie in the color changing lights, getting to move with her, Charlie suddenly felt lighter than air.
They spent so many songs on the dance floor that Charlie had completely lost track of time. They were just dancing, laughing, enjoying the atmosphere. Charlie felt reinvigorated!
They could have stayed out there all night, but Charlie stepped in something quite sticky on the dance floor. She tried to pull her foot away but-
Snap
"Oh fuck, my shoe..." Charlie stumbled as she pried her shoe free, crashing into another Hellborn whose drink spilled all over her.
"Okay fucking rude." The Hellborn scoffed. "I hope you're planning to pay for that"
"It was a fucking accident, jackass." Vaggie instantly was by her side, helping Charlie back to her feet.
"No, it's fine. It was my fault." Charlie sighed, she reached into her clutch pulling out a wad of bills. "Sorry for the inconvenience." Once satiated, the Hellborn lost all interest in the two. "My shoe completely snapped. I really liked these." Charlie sighed.
"Well, we do have that glue..." Vaggie nodded to the table.
"If it's okay with you, I think I want to change. Or at least get the wine off." She hated to leave so soon, but if they planned to come back, it wasn't so bad. The night was still young after all!
"Totally fine, babe." Vaggie reached up, moving a strand of wine-soaked hair out of Charlie's face. "Come on, let's tell the others we'll be back."
Angel, Cherri, and Husk had made it to the dance floor, though Husk seemed to have been dragged there. Angel took a look at Charlie with her heel in her hand, wine dripping from her hair and shook his head. "Girl, you look like shit. Need us to fuck someone up for you?"
"No, that's sweet but unnecessary." Charlie did appreciate their willingness to defend her. But this was a nice club, and she didn't want them all thrown out.
"Seriously, name the bitch." Cherri leaned over. "We'll make it look like an accident."
"You are not subtle enough for that." Vaggie retorted.
"Eh, you got a point." Cherri seemed less offended and more amused by the comment. "Well Sheila, if you change your mind, offer is still on the table."
"Thank you." Charlie smiled. "But I am just going to change. Can you guys tell the others?" Mimzy was at the actual bar, talking to the bartender who couldn't leave due to his job. Niffty was scurrying around in the dark, cleaning the crystalline dance floor. Charlie did see the red head stop at the spot where her shoe had gotten caught, looking annoyed.
"Sure thing." Angel nodded. "You hurry back, we aren't even properly buzzed yet, so things are gonna get wild from here!"
"Not too wild!" Charlie replied quickly.
"Not too wild ... without you." Angel winked at her, shooting finger guns in her direction. Charlie was torn between being flattered and concerned.
"We'll be right back." Vaggie looked amused as she nudged Charlie toward the exit. The two took their leave and soon the soft music from the club was replaced by the usual loud hum of background noise as they walked through the busy streets of Hell.
"Sorry about this," Charlie looked down at Vaggie apologetically.
"Don't be. I was ready for some fresh air anyway. I just hope the others don't burn the place down in our absence."
"I mean... the building is crystal; it would be very hard to burn."
"They'd find a way." Vaggie gave a small smile to Charlie who couldn't help but giggle.
"Despite this little blip, I am having a nice time." She pulled Vaggie to her, a little closer.
"Oh, me too. It's been fun."
"Thank you for coming with me. I know you could have stayed, and I just appreciate that you- Cain?" Charlie blinked as she saw a figure walking through the crowd out of the corner of her eye.
"Of course I came, that place would be trash without you there."
"No, I mean, yes- I am so, so, so happy you came with me, and that is what I wanted to say! But also," Charlie turned Vaggie a bit just in time for the former Exorcist to see a stony looking man in a leather jacket vanish into the crowd. "I think that's my Uncle Cain."
"Uncle Cain? You have an uncle?"
"Not like a real Uncle, he was just a friend of my parents." Charlie started to weasel her way through the crowd, trying to keep an eye on him. "I don't think my parents have siblings. He was just the first man in Hell, so he's just been around for like... ever."
"Oh, Abel's brother." Vaggie followed her without question. Charlie had eyes on Cain again, but she swore she saw something... white draped across his shoulders.
"You know Abel?" She had heard Cain mention the name a few times, but it always seemed to be a touchy subject.
"I mean, I met him a few times..." Vaggie shrugged. "The Exorcists don't really intermingle outside their clique. So, I maybe said ten words to him. Why are we following Cain?" It seemed Vaggie didn't particularly enjoy talking about her time in Heaven and Charlie understood that. So, she didn't comment on the abrupt subject change.
"This is going to sound crazy... but I think I see my dad with him."
"Okay? And? You said they're friends, maybe they're just going out somewhere to, you know, catch up. It might be good for your dad. You said he's been kind of a recluse."
"Neither of them are the type to go out. Dad hasn't been socializing since mom... well..." Charlie tried to keep her focus on Cain. "And Cain doesn't like other Sinners. He really only hangs around Hellborns. He likes... individual Sinners, but he told me big groups of them give him a headache. So, if that is dad..."
"I don't really see your dad, I'll be honest."
"He's the snake. I- damn it!" Charlie stumbled again thanks to the broken shoes. Vaggie caught her but she completely lost sight of Cain in the crowd.
"Careful." Vaggie caught her before she completely face-planted on the cement. "I don't think you're gonna catch up to him with a broken shoe."
"Ugh." Charlie huffed for a moment, her head flopping onto Vaggie's shoulder. "Wait! I can just go by the house! If that wasn't dad, he should still be home!"
"This is really bothering you, huh?" Vaggie squeezed her shoulder.
"Dad was acting kind of... weird at the party. I don't know if it was just me? But like... he seemed high strung. And I know he always seems a little... strained but like..." Vaggie had helped Charlie to a bench by this point so she could readjust her hoof in her broken shoe. "At the party I swear he seemed to be distracted."
"Hey," Vaggie hugged her a bit closer. "If this is bothering you, then we can absolutely run by the house to give you some peace of mind, okay?" Charlie sat up, squeezing Vaggie close to her, kissing her cheek.
"Thank you."
"But maybe we don't run because your shoe is fucked."
"Fair." Charlie smiled, walking arm in arm with Vaggie toward the mansion she had once called home. It was entirely possible that she hadn't seen her dad at all and Cain either just had a scarf or had adopted a pet snake. Cain never seemed to mind snakes, though Charlie had never gotten the impression he liked them. A scarf seemed equally unlikely since Charlie had never seen him wear one in all the years she'd known him.
They made their way up the winding path, through the gates, and up to the massive mansion doors. Charlie placed her hand on the door, the handle glowed, recognizing her, and slowly turned. The door started to swing open before it came to an abrupt stop and then started closing back.
"What the fuck?" Charlie started to try and push the door back the other way before it closed. She leaned her whole weight into it, her cheek against the solid wood.
"Hi!"
Charlie jumped as a face appeared near her's on the other side of the door. She didn't really recognize the Hellborn speaking. He looked to be roughly her age; his hair was a deep crimson that matched his glowing pupils. The sclera of his eyes was completely black, his skin an icy blue. "Oh, um, hi?"
"It's good to see you princess!"
"Yeah, um, who are you?" Charlie pushed her weight against the door, but it wasn't budging.
"Lysander! I am your dad's security intern. I am learning all about security from him."
"Okay, Lysander, this is my childhood home so if you don't mind just letting me in-"
"Oh, I'm sorry, no can do that your highness." The door wasn't budging. "I have strict orders from the boss not to let anyone in."
"Okay, but clearly he wasn't expecting me." Charlie insisted.
"Yeah, he wasn't expecting you, you are absolutely right! But I did actually ask him to specify, and he did say-"
"Not sure why she would come. But no. Not even Charlie." Her dad's voice came from somewhere in the darkness. It sounded a little... tinny... almost like a recording.
"Did you record that conversation?" Charlie was almost impressed by the forethought.
"Um..." Lysander's fiery pupils shifted to look behind him for a moment. "I guess you could say that."
"You're seriously going to not let in the fucking princess of Hell?" Vaggie now had also joined in pushing on the door. Lysander shook his head.
"I would love to; I have actually always wanted to meet you! Loved your song on 666 News!"
"Aw! Thank you!" Despite the fact that the man was actively stopping her from reaching her own house, she could still take a compliment.
"Unfortunately, rules are rules. This is out of my hands."
"Then can I talk to someone else?" Charlie finally stopped pushing against the door. It seemed that she was no longer allowed in and the magic that protected the house knew that. But this was her fucking house! Or at least, it was before she had moved out. Still, she didn't think her dad would just lock her out completely.
"It's just me." Lysander replied flatly.
"We have an entire staff, it's not just you." Charlie knew her parents had quite an extensive array of Hellborns in their employment. She knew most of them from when she was still a little girl.
"Well, fun fact, it is just me." He replied awkwardly. "I would open the door and show you, but I literally can't."
"That's bullshit." Vaggie tried to slide her arm through the crack in the door but was stopped by an unseen force. Charlie gently pulled her arm back.
"It's magic, if dad doesn't want us getting in, we won't." The fact that the door had opened at all simply meant that this Lysander guy had actually opened it for her just enough to maybe explain the situation. She wasn't sure why he bothered since the door simply refusing to open would have been evidence enough.
"Again, sorry about that."
"Charlieeeeeeee~"
"Huh?" Charlie swore she heard her name in a woman's voice somewhere in the darkness behind Lysander. "I thought you said you were alone?"
"I am. I'm the only hired staff left." He closed the door a little more. "And I really gotta go back to securing stuff."
"Wait!" Charlie could easily assume her dad wasn't home at this point. "Do you know where my dad is? I really need to find him."
"Huh," Lysander looked thoughtful for a moment, "he left with Cain a bit ago."
"Do you know where he went?" Vaggie raised herself to her full height, but still didn't reach to Lysander's face, the intern was taller than even Charlie.
"I do not, no. It's not my business." He gave a little shrug.
"They went to see a bitchy Ballerina!"
"Who is in there with you?" Charlie knew she had heard a voice.
"No one. I gotta go. I left the oven on." And with that, the door was closed directly in her face. Charlie couldn't believe her father would choose to lock her out of her childhood home. They were definitely going to have words.
"Are you okay?" Vaggie gently squeezed Charlie's arm. "That whole exchange was kinda weird, right?"
"I'm calling dad." Charlie pulled out her phone, dialing his number. It rang and rang and rang. Nothing. Just voicemail. "Dad, why am I not allowed in the house!? And I heard a woman's voice. Who is in there!? What are you hiding!?" She knew she was ranting a bit. As they made their way (finally) back toward the hotel. Sure, they had been sidetracked, but now Charlie had gone from puzzled, to actually upset. She didn't like having things kept from her, especially after her very life had been put on the line, and the lives of her loved ones. She was not about to risk everything again because her father was being an elusive piece of shit. "You better tell me everything! And also," her voice lightened up, becoming less intense, "you left those fountains up. Can you maybe take away just the chocolate one? I keep finding people in. Oh! And this is Charlie by the way. Okay bye bye." She sighed, hanging up.
"I think that might be the first angry call I have ever heard end with: bye bye." Vaggie mused.
"I should call him again." Charlie didn't like the idea that she was getting ignored.
"Slow it down, he'll answer. It sounds like he was meeting with Carmilla. So maybe he just can't get to his phone."
"Carmilla?" Charlie blinked. "Oh... bitchy Ballerina... right that is probably who they meant. I mean I never found her to be that bitchy. I always thought she was nice." Admittedly, Charlie's interactions with her had been very minimal, but she had helped Vaggie in a time of need, and that made her good in Charlie's book.
"She's got a bit of a strong personality, but I kinda liked that about her." Vaggie smiled, and. Charlie felt a bit better. Vaggie didn't seem nearly as concerned as she felt.
"We couldn't have won without her help." Charlie smiled too. "I guess I can just wait for dad to call me back." She sighed, going to put her phone back in her bag. "I can always a-" Charlie's words got cut off as suddenly she felt very sick. The phone toppled out of her hand; Charlie's breath seemed to catch in her throat. She looked down, the ground around her was crumbling, as if disintegrating away. She reached to grab Vaggie, but she wasn't there. She could no longer feel the comforting warmth of her hand on her arm. She wanted to speak-to cry out for Vaggie- but it felt as if her voice was trapped in her throat.
Charlie realized how quiet things were. She couldn't hear... anything. Even as the ground continued to crumble away, falling into the darkened void below (Charlie did not know what was down there- but the very thought filled her with dread) was completely soundless. Finally, there was a sound- garbled, distorted- something Charlie could barely recognize as a laugh. Her eyes looked up to see Exorcists, hundreds of them, swarming in the sky in such great quantity they blocked out the image of Heaven above...
She heard the laughter again, closer this time, the sound of it hurt, despite it being so much quieter, almost like a whisper in her ear.
"CHARLIE!"
Instantly the princess was awake, she was laid out on the ground, her head on something soft she vaguely realized was Vaggie's lap. Vaggie was leaning over her, eyes wide looking terrified. "V... aggie?" Charlie mumbled weakly. She was back. Or maybe she had just dreamed the whole thing? She didn't think she had gotten that drunk to black out on her walk home. She had only had two drinks.
"Thank fucking god!" Vaggie leaned down, throwing her arms around Charlie, holding her close. "You just went catatonic! You scared the shit out of me!" Charlie hugged Vaggie just as tightly, that had, honestly, scared her too. She closed her eyes, just hugging the fallen angel to reassure her.
"I think maybe I had too much to drink? I had some kind of like... nightmare..." Charlie laughed softly to help assure Vaggie that she was, in fact, unharmed. She opened her eyes, Vaggie's dress had gotten a small red stain on it. "Aw, you got something on your dress..." Charlie ran her fingers over it, the stain was still wet.
"Stain on my...?" Vaggie pulled away, looking at Charlie, her eyes went wider. "We're going back to the hotel; I'm calling your fucking dad. If he doesn't answer, I'm calling him till he does."
"Vaggie I just had a bit too much to..." Charlie wiped her nose with the back of her hand only to see the red color smeared over her skin. "What the fuck...?"
"Can you walk?" Vaggie placed a hand to Charlie's cheek.
"Y... yeah I feel okay now."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah." To prove her point, Charlie carefully got to her feet. It felt like the bleeding had stopped, she didn't feel nearly as shaky. "See?" Instantly Vaggie had an arm around her waist, supporting her.
"I'm still going to escort you back." Vaggie insisted. Charlie nodded, putting her own arm around Vaggie.
"Sorry, I guess I ruined our night..." Charlie gave an apologetic smile.
"As long as you're okay? I'll still call this a great night. But we are finding out what happened right fucking now."
Vaggie kept an eye on her the entire way back to the hotel. Charlie didn't mind, she was just a bit sad their night of fun was over, she would have to apologize to Angel and the others later. At least Vaggie didn't seem to mind. The hotel drew closer, and Charlie suddenly realized just how exhausted she was feeling. She was ready to get back home, shower, collapse on her bed and-
"Dad?" Charlie blinked. Her dad was fully transformed- wings, horns, tail, and all- standing in front of the hotel, his cane pointed at a lump on the ground. He didn't move, Charlie doubted he had heard her. "Dad!" She called a bit louder as they drew closer. She saw her dad poke the mass on the ground with the end of his cane.
"Mr. MORNINGSTAR!" Vaggie made sure they got his attention.
"Oh! Char-Char!" It looked like the girls had caught him off guard. He made a motion, signaling them to stop. "Hang on just a second, daddy is doing something." He turned back to what, Charlie just now realized, was a Sinner, lying motionless on the ground. "Come on, wakey wakey you sack of shit."
"Nope! We're not waiting! We need to talk to you RIGHT fucking now." Vaggie ignored the Devil's requests and continued to walk forward. She got close enough to grab Lucifer by the wrist. "Something happened to Charlie." She kept her voice quiet, but Charlie's father clearly heard her. He looked at Charlie with concern.
"Charlie!?" He pulled the two away from the Sinner on the ground, looking Charlie over, up and down. He must have noticed the dried blood on her nose because he offered her a tissue. "What happened?"
"I... I don't know... I blacked out... had like a weird nightmare, and then woke up and suddenly I had a nosebleed?" Charlie felt a little weird having all this attention on her. "But why am I locked out of the house?"
"Oh. Um, it's just not quite show-ready." His answer was entirely unsatisfactory, but it was clear he was far more interested in checking her over. "I don't think you'll have another one of those episodes, but if you do: tell me at once." He put his hand over Charlie's. "And take it easy, okay?"
"What was that?" Charlie felt like nothing she asked was getting a straight answer. It was a bit frustrating, however she could tell her dad was focused on several things at once. (Though his concern for her seemed to trump everything else, so that was kind of nice to see.)
"Hard to say for sure. But take it easy nonetheless." He nudged her back a bit more. "Now give me just a second." He turned back to the Sinner on the ground. "You should be awake by now, come on fucker." Her dad jabbed the Sinner with the cane, again, to no avail. Charlie squinted at the black and white form on the ground and was instantly reminded of an annoying rock ballad that had been sung directly in her face at the beginning of this mess.
"Is that... who I think it is?" Charlie squinted at the man on the ground.
"Yeah, it's Adam..." Lucifer finally lowered the cane, he gently lifted Adam's head off the ground. Adam's eyes were open, but only half lidded, his head rolled limply as Lucifer looked him over. "But something's wrong... he should be awake by now."