Chapter Text
Mimzy kicked the door open with fanfare, confetti blasting all over the hotel lobby. Her voiced pitched as she sang of her arrival, throwing more pink confetti at the hotel residents.
Everyone had different reactions. Husk’s face fell, Nifty grinned, Alastor’s smile tightened forcibly, Charlie and Angel looked surprised, Lucifer stiffened, apple cane raised in defense, and Vaggie pointed her spear at the lady.
Her song number ended with her jumping and landing on her knees, sliding across the floor towards the Hazbin Crew. “Its Me! MIMZY!!!”
“Who?” Lucifer asked, apple cane still pointed as if h-it could do anything. Mimzy huffed at him, putting her hands on her hips. “What? Didn’t ya hear me?! Why ya’ll gawkin’? Is it ‘cuz Im adorable?” Mimzy posed, adjusting her dress. She beelined to Alastor, the two embracing with a soft hmm of fondness.
“Listen, I heard you were staying at this haunted slob show and I thought it’d be nice to say hello! Chat a bit? For old time’s sake?” She glanced around the hotel with obvious disgust before turning sweetly to the radio demon. Alastor’s smile tightened as he bent down to her level.
“Oh! Of course, sweetheart! Every sinner is welcome at this humble hotel!” He extended his arms in demonstration. Charlie, much to Lucifer’s panic and dismay, walked over fondly, “Oh! How sweet! You two know each other?” Mimzy grinned, pulling Alastor by the shoulder’s “Oh yeah! We hung around when we were alive!”
She bent down in a mock whisper, “You know this one used to visit my club. He’s the only one I know that could keep down his whiskey and then keep up with me on the dance floor!”
The rest of the conversation got tuned out by the monarch, who was currently biting down in his nails to keep from walking up there. Oh Satan! His daughter hanging around not one, but TWO dangerous sinners?! Not like he could intervene. What would he do anyway? Ask them to stop nicely?!
Then he felt someone walk over to him. He nearly jumped out of his skin when the weird dancing lady walking over with practiced grace, dress swinging with every step. He clutched the cane tighter, suddenly regretting every decision ever made in the last hundred thousand years.
"Charmed to meetcha, Your Highness.” She bowed with exaggerated grace, smile serene but hiding secrets. Lucifer stared at her with wide eyes, forcing a grin that looked more like a grimace.
She leaned over to whisper something to Alakazam as he forced out a response. “Pleasure to…meet you as well Miss…” please don’t offer your name please don’t offer your name-
“Mimzy.” Madelyn said, her name instantly being forgotten. Just as she was about to speak again, Lucifer quickly grabbed Charlie, desperate for an escape FAR away from this parlor.
“Charlie, Ducky, Sweetie! Don’t we have a tour to continue?!” He asked, sunken eyes pleading for a way out. Charlie seemed to get the hint, leading him away until…
“Oh! Why you are indeed correct, Sire. Seems like WE do indeed have a tour to continue.” Alijah snatched Charlie away, leading her in another direction. The fallen seraphim’s hands twitched violently.
“I-Im sure JUST CHARLIE can handle showing me around, isnt that right, darling?!” He grabbed Charlie once again, leading her in the correct-at least he thinks its correct-direction. His face melting into a mix of annoyance and bitterness as his daughter was snatched away once again.
“NONSENSE, Your Majesty! WE started the hotel together, and WE will show it off together. Right, dear?” That filthy sinner had the audacity to put those dirty claws on his little girl once again, leading her in the same direction as before. Lucifer thought he was going to explode from sheer exasperation.
“Right!” Charlie said, replacing the rage with sheer dread. Oh FUCK! Charlie and him, alone with that disgusting piece of shit?! He takes it back, the tour doesn’t sound nice anymore! Maybe staying in that parlor would be better!
Lucifer barely even heard what Alejandro said over his panic, what if’s swirling in his head. He leaned over to Charlie, who looked excited. “Charlie! Dear, I…does he HAVE to come?” He asked through gritted teeth.
Charlie sighed. Oh no! Was she exasperated? With him?! Had he fucked up?! Was she going to ask him to leave?! “Just…try to be nice to him, dad. He may seem like a piece of work but…he’s helped me so much. Do this…for me…?”
…
Well shit! He cant say no to THAT!
“I-I-I…okay sweetie…I’ll…UGH! Try.” Charlie’s face lit up, making it all worth it. Damn. He was leaving his comfort zone A LOT today. Oh well, anything for his pride and joy!!
His little girl squealed in delight, grabbing him to drag him away. He gave Alessandro a glare that could have Satan cowering, turning back to look at his little girl and her girlfriend. Volley, was it?
Oh well… he’ll figure it out.
…
Eventually…
Alastor had no problem allowing Charlie and Vagine to take charge in introducing the hotel. It seemed like that duck-obsessed prick didn’t even like him. In fact, he seemed to fear sinners in general. Oh, how delightful!
Of course the Radio Demon HAD been the devil’s #1 fan when he was alive, drawing sigil after sigil in hopes of summoning him. But nothing worked. He was disappointed, sure, but he managed to snag another deal so win win. Imagine to his surprise and anger to realize that not only was the King of Hell REAL, but he was also alive and perfectly capable of getting his messages.
Was this a petty reason to hate him? Yes.
Did he care? No.
Plus, the short king was nothing special. Seriously?! How were the bibles THIS inaccurate?! To realize that not only was the overrated leprechaun a massive prick, but that he was also just some overzealous solitary who no one had seen since his wife dumped his sorry ass. Why, Alastor had nearly cried. Whether those tears were for grief or mocking didn’t matter.
And so here he was now, watching the asshole listen to his daughter’s explanations with rapt attention yet vague worry. It took everything in him to not laugh at the monarch’s sorry state. But just as he was about to follow them.
“Ey boss?”
…
You’ve got to be kidding me.
The deer sinner turned around, forcing a smile onto his face. Husk stood there, posture slouched yet nervous. Alastor grinned wider. Good. He liked his souls scared.
“Yes Husker~?”
Husk stiffened but surprisingly, didn’t show any shift in emotions. He gestured towards the parlor. “Oh cut the crap, Alastor! You and me both know Mimzy only shows up when she needs something. Who knows what psychopaths she dragged over here! You really want that in this hotel…right now…?”
Alastor simply hummed and smiled, patting the feline on the head. “Its nothing I can’t take care of! Now, run along Husker. I have a tour to continue.” Seriously. Didn’t his pet know better than to question HIM.
But Husk did not back down, swatting the radio demon’s hand away. “Don’t touch me! You may own my soul…but I ain’t ya fuckin’ lapcat!”
Alastor grinned, all teeth and malice. “Oh but you are, kittycat! Or did you forget your place? Do you need a reminder?” Something dangerous flickered in his eyes as he walked away, victorious.
…
That is…until Husk decided to mutter under his breath.
“Big talk for someone also on a leash…”
The lights flickered, then the bulbs exploded, leaving only the hall lamps that barely did anything. Alastor’s eyes turned into radio dials, antlers growing from his head.
“haha…Ŵ{@T D|# Y0> J>$T S@Y?”
A bright green chain snapped onto Husk’s neck, chocking him and dragging the bartender to the floor. He landed with a thud, gasping for air. Alastor turned around slowly staring dead at Husk, who raised his hands up, trying to talk the overlord out of whatever sick punishment he had planned.
He was cut off sharply by said overlord speaking.
“ŴH%Y D0!*Nt W? T@K? TH|S s0M?W\?R? M0Re PŘĮV@ȚË????”
And with that, the two disappeared.
Charlie was beaming as she explained to her dad the plan to redeem sinners, making gestures as she explained the steps they’d already taken.
“Once we prove redemption IS possible-which it is-this hotel will be STUFFED with sinners wanting to change their ways and ascend into Heaven!” Vaggie, being such a supportive girlfriend, nodded along, adding her own remarks.
Her dad seemed…interested. Though, with all the time they’d been apart, Charlie couldn’t tell. He was smiling, though it WAS strained. He seemed…stiff. Especially at the mention of sinners and Heaven.
“We just need a TAAD bit more time to prove it then, trust me, our plan will go THROUGH THE ROOF!” She said excitedly, before calming down, “though…the sharing circle and trust falls havent been giving the results Im hoping for but I hope that’s a fluke and-"
“Aaand with a bit of rethinking, we are sure to find a way!” Vaggie finished her sentence, smiling warmly. The princess smiled back, looking to her dad. She was so grateful to have a partner like Vaggie! Not to mention all she’d done to support her dreams. She should really thank her properly when this is over…
Charlie tuned out those…thoughts. Not in front of her dad. Speaking of her dad, she turned to him. She was still surprised he…actually came. After Mom had left him…no…ever since her birth, he’d been a recluse. It was strange, yes but…one day he just got worse. Her mom said he was just adjusting to hell but she saw the fear, the locks, the way he would look at her like she’d just disappear in a second.
“Dad please! Im not a child anymore! What are you so afraid of?!”
…
He never did answer her question…
She absentmindedly noted Alastor walking away to talk to Husk as Vaggie pushed the balcony door open. “Husk has only been drinking 3 instead of 6 bottles per day! Not to mention we’ve ALMOST found all of Angel’s drug stashes!” The moth like woman turned away, “almost…” she muttered.
Lucifer nodded distantly, then whipped around to Charlie the second she started talking. “So! Once THAT’S out of the way everything should be going MUCH more smoothly!” She smiled big, lightening up as her father gave her a nervous grin.
“Oh-Oh wow Charlie! A-almost all the drug stashes that is…impressive…” he walked towards the railing overlooking the front of the hotel, hands clasped tightly on his cane.
“So…what do you think?” She asked hopefully, her hands splayed to show all the hotel. The hermit looked up. “A-about what?” Charlie gritted her teeth as Vaggie winced. “THE HOTEL.” She whispered, trying to keep the last vestiges of her sanity together.
Lucifer looked away, suddenly not able to meet her eyes. “O-Oh yeah! You’ve really prettied up the place, haven’t you?” He leaned over the railing as he spoke. “But this place could DO with just a BIT more safety, now couldn’t it? I mean, look at this railing! One bad move and well, you’re basically sitting meat for whoever decides to come here. Ha…haha…” he looked at her worriedly.
Charlie’s smile tightened as she pulled at her hair, “W-What?! No! The PLAN, dad!” She gritted her teeth, “What do you think about the plan?”
The king of hell looked away, “oh we’re having this conversation now…” he muttered, before turning to face his little girl.
“Look. Charlie! It is…nice that you care about these Sinner and want them to be better but…they…” he trailed off, “They’re just the worst, Charlie. I-I don’t know what you think you’re going to achieve with them. And…and Heaven. Oh, Heaven they…they have rules, Ducky. Lots and lots of rules and when they see what you’re doing…who do you think they’re going to go after.”
Charlie bit her lip, “But DAD! These are OUR people. I-I have to try!” She gestured out towards hell. Vaggie looked away, sensing she was not needed in this conversation.
Lucifer looked up slowly, face twisting for a moment. “Ducky, our people…ARE HORRIBLE! They get free will and look what they do with it! I tried, Charlie, I-I really did. That’s what they do! You go out and try to make their purgatory just a bit better and they swoop in with their guns and…threats and they…they try taking…what…what matters most to you…” He looked down at his hands.
The hellborn’s face sobered for a second, “…dad, what are you-AGH!” The building suddenly shook violently. Vaggie growled, holding up her spear. The monarch snapped up, suddenly on edge.
“And some, Charlie…try to do THAT!!” He pointed to the front where…no…it couldn’t be.
Loan Sharks?!
Charlie, Vaggie, and Lucifer quickly ran down to the front of the hotel, faces twisted in panic. Lucifer rushed to defend Charlie against a stray piece of rubble while the other guests emerged. Vaggie distantly noted that Husk seemed…off. Shaky and distant.
“What in the FUCK is that?!” The moth woman yelled out to the cast. Mimzy peaked over from under the bar, looking sheepish. “Those maaayy be some Loan Sharks I did business with. I may have taken out a loan…and stole a car…annd crashed it into the Loan shark’s girlfriend but THAT BITCH HAD IT COMING!!” Vaggie stifled a curse as another part of the wall fell way.
“Duckling! Out of the way!” The monarch grabbed his daughter and dragged her behind a wall, cane trapped in a white knuckled grip. Shit! This was exactly what he was talking about! Sinners and their horrible ways!!
Vaggie stepped forward, spear in hand. “Out of the way everyone. I’ll take care of this-” She was interrupted by a hand on her shoulder. “No dear! That will not be necessary…” Without warning, she was shoved away by the radio demon, who stepped outside, already twisting into a more monstrous form.
“ĮŤ$ Ț|mË | Ř%M|ŅÐ Ê#VĘŘ#ŒŅÉ Ŵ^Ÿ |m ĦŒRŒ~”
The hotel started to glow a sickly green, the Loan Sharks instinctively stepping away but not backing down. Alastor grew in size as his voice blared across half the Pride ring.
“@ ŘŒm|ŅÐ%R Ť0 ÆLŁ Ň0t Ť0 M%$$ ŴĮTĦ TĦ% ŘÆÐİØ ÐĒm0Ň~”
In a flash of black, oozing tendrils of shadow seeped out from Alastor’s back and started crushing the Shark’s weapons. He blew through them effortlessly, Mimzy offering cheer from behind the scenes.
Charlie was about to join. She needed to defend the hotel, when a hand on her wrist stopped her.
Her father’s.
She turned to her dad, anger burning in her chest. “Let. Me. Go. Dad.” She’d never used such a tone but she was upset. Upset on how quickly he dismissed sinners, upset about how he was never there, upset about EVERYTHING!
His face melted, “Charlie…I…Im trying to protect you-” he was cut off by Charlie pulling away. “Then DON’T try, Dad! Im not 5 anymore! I don’t NEED protection!” Her hands balled into fists. “What are you even trying to protect me from?! Sinners?! I can DEFEND myself!”
The hermit was about to speak, only to get cut off once more. It felt like the princesses blood was burning. Years trapped in that house, doors locked, with a father too paranoid to play with her.
“You say Sinners are nothing more than bloodthirsty maniacal psychopaths?! Well!” She pointed to Alastor and the rest of the cast. “I see a sinner defending MY DREAM! I see 2 residents trying to BECOME BETTER PEOPLE!! I see a bartender who is making progress on QUITTING ALCOHOL!! I see a maid cleaning MY HOTEL!!” Her demonic features started to come out as her dad backed away slowly.
“I don’t understand, Dad! WHAT IS IT?! Why are you so PARANOID?! Why did you NEVER call?! Why do you HIDE?! Why do you LOCK YOURSELF AWAY?!”
“Ducky, I-”
“What SCARES you so much out there?!”
“Charlie-”
“WHAT ARE YOU SO AFRIAD OF?!!!”
It was that same question. ‘What are you so afraid of?’ And that’s what broke it.
Years of secrets, years of LIES came pouring out for all of hell to hear. The reason why Lucifer had hidden away, why every window in the castle was boarded up, why the exterminations were agreed to so easily.
4 words.
“I CANT HARM SINNERS!!!”