Chapter I: Group Therapy

"Okay, Vaggie, Nifty, let's grab the guys and have our first group therapy session. Vaggie, will you get Angel? Nifty, can you get Husk? I'll see to Alastor," Charlie requested, the girls gave her a nod.

"Alright, we'll meet in the parlor," Charlie told them and then dismissed them.

Ω Ω Ω

Vaggie found Angel Dust in his room, this time he was just playing with Fat Nuggets.

"Wow, I come to your room to find you doing something wholesome for once."

"Yeah, what's this about Toots?" he asked.

"It's your first group therapy session, bring Nuggets along if you want to, do it if it would keep you off your phone."

"Is it going to take long?" Angel Dust asked.

"No, it's short and simple."

"Alright, alright, c'mere Nugsy," Angel Dust replied. He picked up the pet pig and followed Vaggie down with little argument.

Ω Ω Ω

"Oh Husk, wanna take a few minutes off work to join us in the parlor?" Nifty asked. Husk was busy wiping glasses at the bar, he set one down and asked her: "Are you askin' me outta Charlie's request?"

"Uh-huh, of course I don't think Alastor would be too pleased if he found out if you didn't want to follow an instruction from her."

Husk sighed: "Fine, I'll go."

Ω Ω Ω

"Hey, Alastor, it's Group Therapy time," Charie annouced, she found him in the kitchen, mincing ingredients.

"Now darling, you know that I'm not one of your 'guests' so are you sure that you wish for me to attend?"

"It could prove to be entertaining for you and it won't take long."

"Alright then, lets see what becomes of those depraved sinners!" Alastor replied in his energetic radio announcer voice.

Ω Ω Ω

Once gathered and seated in the parlor, Charlie stood and announced: "Okay everyone, first off I'm glad that you're all here! To start off Group Therapy, I figured that we'd all start off with something quick and small. Today, all you have to do is say something nice to someone. It could be a compliment, you can thank them for something special, or anything that comes to mind - with the exception that it can't be something related to a sin."

"You dragged me from the bar for this!" Husk exclaimed.

"Oh, come on, Husk, hearing and saying something nice can make someone's whole day feel a lot better," Charlie explained. Husk slumped in his seat and sulked.

"I'll start," Vaggie announced: "Nifty, I like how dedicated you are to keeping this hotel clean and looking nice."

Nifty let out a bright smile.

"See, that's all it takes. Husk, will you go next?" Charlie asked.

"Fine..." Husk looked around; Alastor was a son of a bitch, Angel was a perverted pest, Nifty already had something nice said to her, and Charlie was way too happy all the damn time: "Vagatha, your protective instincts are admirable."

Vaggie was taken aback, she and Husk hadn't really interacted, and she was the one that didn't want a bar in the hotel.

"Oh, umm, thanks Husk."

"Well if we're going to keep this thing running smoothly, I shall go next: Charlie, you're quite the canary and a swell dancer," Alastor said.

"Excuse me, I'm a what?" Charlie asked.

"A canary, it's slang from back-in-our-day for a girl who's good at singing. He likes your singing, Princess," Angel Dust explained.

"Aww, thanks Alastor! Angel, I want to thank you for being our first client," Charlie spoke, Vaggie gave her a side-look.

"Husk, I think that you're quite the skillful bartender," Nifty stated."

"Is that within the rules?" Vaggie muttered over to Charlie.

"I'd say so, she's saying that he's good at his job," she replied, she then looked over to Angel Dust: "Okay, Angel, it's your turn to say something nice to Alastor."

"Wait, Smiles?"

"Everyone else has already had something nice said to them."

"Alright... Alastor, this place has gotten a lot more interesting since you showed up and your cooking is pretty good."

"Why thank you my effeminate fellow."

"Great! That'll be all for now, but our coming sessions will be more... challenging," Charlie told them. She then dismissed them.

Ω Ω Ω

As the day carried on, everyone at the hotel seemed to be in lighter spirits. Husk actually tried engaging in conversation when others were at the bar, Vaggie and Nifty exchanged jokes, Alastor was emitting some pretty chipper music as he continued work in the kitchen. Angel Dust even toned down on his sexual humor. All of this really seemed to please Charlie.