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After the battle against the angelic army, there had been so much to do. Charlie had to rebuild her hotel from the ground up, all the while mourning the loss of their fallen comrades. She had help, of course, and she couldn’t be more grateful for each and every one of them. Her father was finally taking a bigger interest in her dream; she had Husk, Niffty, and Angel, and even Cherri Bomb had joined the mix, but even so, the loss of Sir Pentious had hit hard. She missed him every day and wished she could go back in time and do more to prevent the battle from ever occurring, but she couldn’t. The only thing she could do was move forward.
Moving forward was much easier said than done, especially when Alastor, someone who had given her a ton of assistance with her hotel, was nowhere to be found. Her relationship with him was stuck in limbo until she figured out what had happened to him. She couldn’t make plans that included him, like him continuing to be the host of the hotel, because she didn’t know whether he was alive or dead. Yet, she couldn’t completely exclude him from her future if he was still alive somewhere out there.
They had yet to find Alastor’s corpse, which was as good a sign as any that he was still alive, but, at the same time, if he was, Charlie had the faintest clue about where he might be. They had searched everywhere for him, at least anywhere they could think of, and had turned up empty-handed. He had disappeared, and based on the rumors she had heard about the last time he had up and vanished, she couldn’t help but worry. She didn’t want to go without seeing him for seven years. She already hadn’t seen her mother in years, the last thing she needed was not to see the man she had considered a father figure for that long either.
While Charlie had a lot still left to do with her hotel, which was slowly but surely being rebuilt, there was one thing she kept pushing off: visiting Rosie. Rosie had lent her assistance and her cannibals in the fight against the exorcists. Without her help, her hotel wouldn’t have stood a fraction of a chance. It was thanks to her that they were able to make it out on the other side as unscathed as they were. Charlie knew she should visit her, should thank her for everything she had done, but she couldn’t find it in herself to, not when Alastor was still missing.
From what Charlie had seen when she visited Rosie with Alastor the last time, the two seemed very close. She wasn’t sure what their relationship was, whether they were acquaintances, friends, or something else entirely, but she had figured out that much. Rosie seemed to genuinely care about Alastor, something that wasn’t common down here, and he seemed to care about her in turn. That was exactly the reason why Charlie couldn’t bring herself to visit Rosie. As much as she knew she should thank her for her help, she wasn’t sure how to broach the subject of Alastor’s disappearance and possible death.
However, as the days passed by, Charlie felt more and more guilty about not going to see Rosie. Things were still incredibly busy, but that served as more of an excuse than anything. She could take a break for an hour to visit her before coming back. It was her hotel, but surely everyone would understand. They had all come a long way from when she first met them. The fact that they had been willing to fight alongside her, the fact that they were willing to help her rebuild her hotel, was proof enough of that. They would be alright without her for a little while, but to her, it wasn’t a matter of whether they would be fine or not, but whether she could bring herself to see Rosie after everything that happened.
It was the first day of the second week since the battle that Charlie finally found the strength to visit Rosie. She had been putting it off for far too long already, and she could only hope that Rosie wouldn’t mind the delay too much. Charlie wasn’t sure what it was about that day in particular that gave her the fortitude to see Rosie. Whether it was the construction of the hotel going by quicker than she had planned, that they had still yet to find Alastor’s body, making her feel a little more optimistic that he would show up one day alive and well, or merely the passing of time, she didn’t know. Nevertheless, something about that day made her feel ready to face Rosie and whatever reaction she may have when she learned about Alastor’s disappearance.
So, that morning, after she got dressed and ready for the day ahead of her, Charlie told Vaggie where she was headed and to tell anyone who asked. The residents of the Hazbin Hotel may be alright without her for a little bit, but that didn’t mean they wouldn’t have questions about her sudden departure. She wanted to leave them with something so they knew she’d be back in no time. She wouldn’t be gone for long, but even so, it’d be rude to leave without saying anything about where she’d be going or when she’d be back.
After Charlie told Vaggie where she was headed and that she would be alright on her own, she parted from the hotel and made the short journey to Cannibal Town. It was just as peaceful and pleasant as she remembered, but as she walked toward Rosie’s Emporium, she noticed the distinct lack of people. There were still people milling about, but not nearly as many as there had once been. She felt her heart sink in her chest, knowing that she was the reason why. The battle had caused many fatalities, and nowhere was that made clearer than here.
Charlie felt guilt rising up inside her, only becoming more intense with every step she took toward Rosie’s Emporium. Before she knew it, she was standing face-to-face with the glass door that separated the outside world from the interior of Rosie’s place. Charlie slowly lifted her hand and placed it on the door handle. She took a deep, calming breath before pulling open the door, ready to face whatever may come her way.
Stepping inside Rosie’s Emporium, Charlie noticed that the lack of people continued. The last time she had visited with Alastor, this place had been practically filled to the brim with people. There had been a long line of cannibals waiting for the chance to get to speak with Rosie. Now, there weren’t any more than fifteen people, including herself, crowded within the walls of the fairly large building.
Charlie stepped up to the short line of people that stood in front of the glass counter, behind which Rosie was standing, intent on patiently waiting her turn. She still wasn’t jumping at the opportunity to tell Rosie about the reason she had come to visit, so she’d stand in line like everyone else. She wasn’t here as the Princess of Hell but rather as a person, one who had disheartening news to tell the one who seemed so close to Alastor. She still had yet to figure out what she wanted to say, and hopefully, the line would give her enough time to decide how to approach the subject she came here to discuss.
However, while Charlie had been more than fine with waiting her turn to see Rosie, it seemed that Rosie wasn’t willing to make her wait. The moment Rosie’s eyes found Charlie’s, Rosie smiled brightly at her. Charlie, on her end, offered a small smile of her own. She hesitantly raised a hand and waved at Rosie. She tried to suppress her emotions and act politely, but she could feel the way anxiety ate away at her insides. A part of her brain yelled at her to run away, to flee the situation before she got the chance to talk to Rosie, but she wouldn’t. This needed to happen, and it needed to happen now. If she were to wait any longer, her guilt would only grow more intense.
Charlie could only watch as Rosie stepped out from behind the counter and made her way over to her. When the two women were standing no more than a few feet apart, Rosie brought her hands to her skirt and gripped it loosely. Rosie offered her a quick curtsey in a silent greeting before standing up to full height once more.
“Well, isn’t this a lovely surprise? I can’t say I expected to see you so soon after the battle, but nonetheless, please, come in,” Rosie said, her voice as bright and peppy as it had been the first time Charlie visited.
Rosie gestured a hand toward a more private room in the building and began to walk away from the busy main room of her emporium. As Charlie followed so closely behind, she couldn’t help but ponder how Rosie seemed so happy after everything that had happened. While she had yet to learn about Alastor’s disappearance, she had still lost many of her people during the battle. She hadn’t even been rewarded for her help, and, for the first time, Charlie wondered whether she should’ve brought a gift with her as thanks.
Rosie had done so much for her, for her people, and she hadn’t asked for anything in return. A fresh wave of guilt flowed through her at the thought. The battle hadn’t only affected her and those at the hotel, but so many others. It was only fair that she someday found a way to repay them for all they sacrificed.
That would have to wait, though, as Charlie still had something very important to talk about with Rosie, and she could only hope that it didn’t crush her too much. It was true they had yet to find Alastor, but with each day that passed, she became less and less confident that they eventually would.
Rosie led Charlie to the backroom of her emporium. It was the same place where Charlie had spoken about her and Vaggie’s relationship the last time she came. Rosie had been such a big help and had opened her eyes to Vaggie’s feelings. Without her, she wasn’t sure if things would’ve repaired themselves as well as they did, and she knew she wouldn’t have found the courage to gather the troops that were the cannibals that lived in Cannibal Town. Rosie’s help had far extended past simply offering up her people as an army, and it was the strength she had shown her that allowed her to even come here today.
Rosie sat down on the pink, plush sofa and patted the spot next to her, wordlessly telling Charlie to take a seat beside her. Charlie took one slow step after another until she was standing in front of the couch before turning around and sitting down next to Rosie. Charlie turned to face the other woman as she wrung her hands together nervously, racking her mind for ways to broach the subject she had come here to talk about today. Luckily, Rosie spoke before she got the chance.
“How has the rebuilding of the hotel been coming along? I heard about its destruction and am positive you’ve had your hands full with that.”
Charlie nodded her head shallowly at Rosie’s assertion. “It’s been busy, but it’s slowly coming along. I’m grateful to have the help of my friends, Vaggie, and my dad. I don’t know if I’d be able to do it on my own,” she responded, her words truthful.
Charlie had no clue what she’d do without the residents of the hotel, her father, or Vaggie. When the hotel was destroyed, she had been crushed. Of course, not as hurt as she had been by the loss of Sir Pentious and Alastor, but it still broke her heart to see all her hard work crumble before her very eyes. It was only thanks to the people around her that she was able to pick herself back up and begin the construction of her hotel once more.
“Well, dear, please let me know if there’s anything I can do to help. My people and I are always willing to lend our services.”
Charlie’s eyes widened at Rosie’s words, and she let out a soft gasp, completely taken by surprise. After everything Rosie had done for her, she still wanted to help. She had lost so much in the battle against Heaven, and it was all because of her that she had. Even so, she was willing to lend her help so freely. She almost couldn’t believe it.
“I couldn’t possibly-” Charlie began, but before she could finish her thought, Rosie cut her off.
“Nonsense. I’m always willing to lend a helping hand, especially to one such as yourself, princess.”
Charlie paused for a moment, thinking Rosie’s offer through. It was true that it would be nice to have more help, but even so, that wasn’t why she had come here today. For now, Rosie had done more than enough. Charlie may need her help someday in the future, but that day was not today.
“I appreciate the offer, but that’s not why I came here today. I have something a little more… important I need to let you know about.”
Rosie gave a soft laugh, but no matter how hard she tried, Charlie couldn’t figure out what was so funny. It was then that Charlie heard a series of familiar words fall from Rosie’s lips, ones she had heard the last time she visited. As guilty and anxiety-ridden as Charlie felt, it was that familiarity that had put her at ease, if only a little.
“Well, don’t keep me in suspense. I’m a very busy woman.”
Charlie knew she wasn’t ready to tell Rosie about Alastor, but she forced herself to anyway. When she spoke, she wasn’t as eloquent or calm as she hoped, but considering the situation, she supposed it could be forgiven. She only wished she had come more prepared, perhaps with a speech or script she had written prior, but it was too late to back out now.
“You may already know this, but during the battle against the exorcists, we had Alastor fight against Adam. He was supposed to draw his attention away from the rest of what was happening, but… partway through, Adam began to attack the rest of us. At that moment, I feared the worst. After the battle, though, we searched all over for him but have yet to find him or… his body. I have to have hope that he’s safe somewhere, but I don’t know that for certain. I just… I thought you should know because you two seemed so close, and I’m sure you’ve been worrying about him and-” Charlie rambled, her voice low but filled with a simmering panic.
Once Charlie began explaining the situation, she found it difficult to stop. She had worried and thought about this conversation over and over again. During her waking hours, at night before she went to sleep, it even plagued her dreams. She had thought that when she eventually told Rosie everything that had happened, she would be able to say it in a way that was reassuring and objective, but it wasn’t often she got what she wanted. The battle happening in the first place was proof enough of that.
It was only when Rosie rested a hand on her shoulder that Charlie was able to stop herself from saying anything more. She had gotten the main points across, and all she had to do was wait for Rosie’s reaction. Rosie always seemed like a kind and compassionate person, but Charlie couldn’t begin to imagine how she was feeling. Was she upset that her friend was missing? Angry at her for putting Alastor in that position, to begin with? Just as disheartened as she felt? She didn’t know, but she would soon get her answer.
When Rosie responded, Charlie had been expecting any number of things, but what she said instead caught her completely by surprise.
“He’s alive,” Rosie replied with a small nod of her head.
Immediately, Charlie sat up straight as a gasp fell from her lips. She couldn’t believe what Rosie was telling her. Rosie somehow knew that Alastor was alive, and as much as she hoped the same, she couldn’t say with the same confidence that Rosie apparently felt.
“How do you know that? Has… Has he visited you?” Charlie asked incredulously.
That was the only thing that made any sense in Charlie’s mind. If Alastor had visited Rosie for some reason or another, it would make sense why she was positive he was alive. However, if he had seen her, why hadn’t he come back to the hotel yet? They were worried sick about him, and he couldn’t so much as give them a sign that he was alive. She had been hoping every day that he would come back, had been waiting for it, and the thought that he visited Rosie without letting anyone else know that he was alive stung a little.
“Unfortunately not.”
Those couple of words snapped Charlie out of her train of thought. That shocked her even more than if he had come to visit her without letting any of them back at the hotel know that he was alive and well.
“Then how?”
Slowly, Rosie wrapped her arms around her own body, hugging herself as she looked wistfully down at the wooden floor of the room. There was a far-off look in her eyes that caused Charlie to wonder what the other woman was thinking about.
“It’s hard to explain, but I just know. I can feel his presence. I’ve always been able to, even when he disappeared almost eight years ago. I’m positive he’s alive somewhere, although I don’t know where he is or when he’ll be coming back. I truly wish there was more I could tell you,” Rosie spoke, her voice soft and comforting in a way that, for the first time in the past couple of weeks, gave Charlie real hope that Alastor was alive.
Rosie looked over at Charlie once more, a gentle smile playing on her lips. She let her arms fall freely at her sides. After a long stretch of quiet between the two of them as Charlie contemplated what to say, Rosie moved a little closer to her and wrapped her arms around her in a hug. Charlie let out a faint sigh and rested her head on Rosie’s shoulder, her long, blonde hair tickling Rosie’s neck. A few more seconds passed by where neither of them said anything, but before long, Rosie broke the silence.
“I know, I’m worried about him too, but be patient, dear. I promise he’ll show up sooner or later, he always does,” Rosie reassured in a tone as soft as her hug.
Charlie nodded her head against Rosie’s shoulder. She was right, of course. Charlie had heard the stories about Alastor’s disappearance. While this felt a little different than that, they had yet to find any evidence that definitively pointed to him being permanently gone. The only thing she could do was wait and have hope that Alastor would come back to the hotel.
“Thank you,” Charlie said before wrapping her own arms around Rosie’s body and holding her close.
Her presence, her touch, was comforting, and she didn’t want to let go, at least not yet. There was something special about Rosie. Charlie had only spoken to the woman twice but even so, she was quickly becoming someone she could rely on. It was very similar to the way she relied on her mother for the majority of her life. Perhaps the resemblance was why Charlie felt so comfortable around her and confident in her assertion that Alastor would come back someday. Charlie could only hope Rosie was right. If Rosie was so sure that Alastor was alive, who was she to disagree?