It was the morning after.
Vaggie had honestly not gotten much sleep.
Because honestly what she did last night finally did begin to dawn on her.
It had been a satisfying "fuck you" to Alastor but now Charlie was reading it.
Greeeaaaaat.
Honestly, Vaggie was just trying to think of anything but that. It was already done. So she'll just sit and wait until the rest of the train wreck follows.
Since her like, two hours of sleep did absolutely nothing. She had gotten out of bed at a way too early time and made herself some breakfast.
Thankfully no deer asshole was around and she could make a frickin omelet in peace.
As she cooked her breakfast she sang a small song to herself and appreciated the quietness of the hotel.
Even if she hated waking up this early, she had to admit. It was a pleasant hour with the quietness of it all.
Finally, she put her omelet on a plate, then sat down to eat it along with a nice hot cup of coffee.
It was nice. Peaceful.
So of course it didn't last long.
With barely a quarter of her omelet eaten and only having had a few sips of her coffee, Alastor walked into the kitchen.
Of fucking course.
Vaggie immediately groaned upon seeing him.
"Well good to see you too," Alastor remarked with a chuckle
Vaggie rolled her eyes and returned her focus to her breakfast.
"Really? Is that what you're eating?" Alastor asked, sounding way too smug for this early in the morning, "You know I could-"
"No," Vaggie said taking a sip of her coffee not even bothering to look at him.
Alastor blinked, "I didn't even-"
"Let me fucking guess." Vaggie interrupted, empathizing her point by stabbing her fork into the omelet making the plate shake, "Oh. Hello. I'm an annoying little shit that wants you to eat my shitty cooking despite the fact you have said no countless times! Cheesy quote Cheesy quote, something sinister sounding and then getting injured by ME." Vaggie said doing a mock imitation of his voice up until the last part, "So tell me, how accurate am I?" She asked glaring at him.
Alastor stared at her for a second before raising an eyebrow, "Well someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning."
Vaggie huffed, rolling her eyes before returning her focus back to eating her omelet. Was she grumpier than usual? Yes. Was she being unnecessarily a bitch to Alastor? Yes, but honestly fuck the guy.
"Besides I was just going to offer some bacon. Everyone loves bacon!" Alastor laughed as he opened the fridge, beginning to rummage around, "Well, if we have any..." he said with a hint of annoyance before finally closing the fridge door then looking around the kitchen, "Say is that little pig, that Antony cares for, have you seen it running around?"
Vaggie let out a small chuckle, "Don't eat Fat Nuggets, Angel Dust will not only murder you but everyone likes the pig."
"Everyone would like him better if he were cooked." Alastor remarked opening a few pantries, "Though I'm surprised you care about the pig. You always complain about it.."
"Correction." Vaggie said, "I always complain about Angel because he doesn't bother to clean after his pet, nothing aganist the pet itself. It's not his fault his owner is a piece of shit."
Alastor hummed pulling a few things out of the pantry, "So if I cooked and ate Antony you would have no problem with it?"
Vaggie paused, "Honestly..." she breathed, "With how his behavior has been recently, I really wouldn't mind that much."
That made Alastor laugh, "Oh! I knew I liked you for a reason."
Vaggie chuckled before realizing what was happening.
Were...
Were they getting along?
I mean they had very brief positive interactions but something about this felt more genuine. And it irked her to the highest degree. She didn't like it one fucking bit.
She needed to finish her breakfast and head to work quickly.
"Guess I'll settle for sausage and some grits." Alastor informed as he gathered his ingredients and materials then headed to the stove. "Don't suppose you would want any." The sarcasm was obvious in his voice.
Instead of actually answering though, Vaggie raised an eyebrow as she ate her omelette at a faster pace, "What the hell are grits?"
Alastors head turned, not the rest of the body mind you, just his head. It happened so quickly and suddenly that it nearly made Vaggie choke on the food in her mouth.
"You don't know what grits are?" He asked sounding almost more baffled then when she said she didn't like jambalaya, "How are you living woman?"
"I'm not." Vaggie blankly stated, "I'm dead."
Alastor huffed, "Can't believe you don't know what grits are." Finally his head returned to facing forward, "That settles it. You're having them today."
"Not if you're cooking." Vaggie stated finishing up the rest of her omelette and standing up with her coffee cup in hand. "Besides I need to head to work anyway."
Alastor let out a long dramatic groan, "Fine." He huffed, "But I have one question before you leave."
Vaggie sighed, "What?"
"Why did you cast Charile as Gabriella?" He asked not even turning to face her.
Vaggie frowned a bit, she honestly had been so focused on Charile she had completely forgotten that Alastor had been given a copy as well. "What?" She asked before blinking again, "Wait did you already read all of it? I mean it was a pretty long play and I know you don't usually sleep that much but-"
"Oh. I haven't read all of it yet." Alastor informed, "I only got to the the halfway mark, I had some business to attend to last night and a broken foot to heal." The subtle jab was not so subtle, "But my dear I must say, you have such a talent! The play was scandalous, violent, entertaining, filled with drama and action! Not to mention the musical numbers had me hooked! My dear you should consider becoming a full time play write if this hotel doesn't work out for you." Alastor laughed.
"Uh...thanks." Vaggie said awkwardly, even if she didn't really care about his opinion, she still wasn't use to compliments about her work.
"But I am confused about your casting choices.." Alastor admitted, "Which is why I'm asking," he turned to turn finally, "Why is Charile Gabriella?"
"Why wouldn't she be?" Vaggie asked, the confusion on her face genuine, "Gabriella is a strong confident woman that's cheerful and happy, she's an extrovert that attracts people. It's really perfect for Charile."
There was admittedly more to Gaberillas character but that was the basis of how she acted and how she would be perceived for most of the play, also Alastor if he hadn't read the entire thing yet, he probably didn't know the other scenes for the character and her other traits, so she didn't want to spoil it especially since he seemed to enjoy it so much.
"Besides Charile is a talented actress and she has a good stage presence." Vaggie went on, "She's perfect for the role."
"You have a point." Alastor said, "But I don't agree that she is the perfect choice for the character."
Vaggie let out a bit of a scoff, "Oh? Does a super famous actress happen to owe you a favor as well."
Alastor scoffed at the obvious jab, "Ha ha, jokes aside, even though Charile fits the general idea I can't see her betraying the character accurately unless she is an oscar winning actress."
Vaggie rolled her eyes, "Care to elaborate?"
"Well, yes Gaberilla is an outgoing and cheerful young lady, but she's also from a poor family and having lead a rough life. And it's clear that has strengthened and matured her a lot, even if it isn't immediately noticeable." Alastor explained, "And though I don't doubt Charile is a good actress indeed, but from what I've seen it'll be hard for her to really play that convincingly."
Vaggie shifted a bit, "What do you mean?"
"Oh. You know what I mean. She is the princess of hell, she's been given anything she wanted since birth and for her to play someone whose had to fight for everything they've had, I just don't think she could play it convincing." Alastor said, his tone being more serious than usual.
Vaggies first instinct was to defend Charile, but she bit down on her tongue. No matter what it was Vaggie never liked anyone badmouthing Charile even if what they said was true. But she supposed she had to calm down her protective behavior some, they weren't dating anymore and plus an outburst would just humor him.
That and Alastor did have a point.
Gabriella while at the beginning of the play is just a preppy, outgoing girl that wants to have fun and takes it too far sometimes. Later on as her life gets more difficult then she turns more towards crime, it does show how willing she is, how much she has to fight and how it affects her later on.
Charile up until now never really struggled with anything. Yes even before the hotel Charile did have conflicts but she was never really denied anything she needed like food or shelter, and it wasn't until this hotel she was denied anything she wanted.
Granted Charile wasn't a spoiled brat but it was clear she was both frustrated and confused if she didn't get anything. Though she would never do anything about it, it was still noticeable.
Charile never had to struggle or fight for anything. She had to do that now with the hotel and it was clear she wasn't use to it. Charile her entire life always had food on her plate, a warm bed, access to showers and up until now just had to ask for something if she wanted it. Whether it was something expensive or not, she could get it.
It was something Vaggie had noticed about Charile when they first met. Even though Charile did feel bad for those less fortunate, it was clear she couldn't full relate and didn't understand just how bad it was sometimes.
Her privileged life had given her a disconnect from reality and indeed it would be hard for to portray someone who had the strongest grip on reality because they had been exposed to so much of it.
"Charlies really talented, she'll be able to pull it off." Vaggie said simply, all these negative thoughts about Charile was bothering her, "Besides there isn't anyone else that would be as good of a fit, for the role."
"Oh. I highly disagree." Alastor chuckled briefly turning his attention to his food cooking before turning back to look at her, "I'm looking at her right now."
Vaggie laughed, though it was a bit forced and frantic, "Me? Yeah no, I could never play such a major role..." Vaggie doubted she could play the extremely minor role she had given herself. "And Charlie acts like a better Gaberilla than I do."
Alastor laughed, "It's called acting for a reason my dear. Anyone can pull off acting bubbly and happy, but Gaberillas realism and strong spirit are much harder to convey if you don't have them yourself." He explained, "And you have both."
Vaggie shifted unsure of how to react. This almost sounded like a genuine compliment, and again it was a compliment about something rarely anyone commented on. I mean she had never shown anyone her work until now so of course she didn't get any positive feedback but rarely did anyone say anything positive about her personality and that had always been on full display.
Even Charile never really commented on it much, even when they were dating.
Vaggie quickly brushed all these thoughts away, she was probably thinking too much about it. Alastor probably didn't even mean it, besides it was like he said,
'I can see why so many people dislike you'
The bastard didn't mean a word.
"Whatever." Vaggie said with a huff, "Maybe I'll change my mind or Charile will turn down the role, but until then I think she's best choice for Gaberilla we have."
Honestly Charile would never turn down a role, especially the lead role but hell she'll humor Alastor a bit.
"Did you even send Charile a copy of the play?" He asked not even paying any attention to her statement.
"Yes I did." Vaggie said, an edge to her voice as she was reminded of their conversation last night, "Like I had always been planning to do, because unlike what some assholes will claim, I'm not a coward."
Alastor let out a hum, "Only a coward would be so desperate to disprove it,"
"Would a coward break both of your feet?" Vaggie huffed.
Alastor raised an eyebrow, "But you only brok-ARGH!"
Vaggie, moving so fast that Alastor barely comprehended it, stomped down on Alastors other foot. Another crush song being hard as she stomped down.
"You little-" Alastor almost seemed to hiss but Vaggie mover away before he could reach out to her.
"You were saying?" Vaggie asked having a smug smirk.
Alastor groaned, taking a seat a nearby seat, "Gah, watch my food for me, I need to handle this." he said wrapping his hands around his broken foot, a light red aura emerging from them, "It's a wonder how strong you are."
"It's called lifting weights." Vaggie informed looked over Alastor and his skinny self, "Doesn't look like you've heard of it."
"Ha ha ha." Alastor remarked sarcastically as he healed his foot, "Always so mean to me." He pretended to whine.
"Well just returning the favor from when you yeeted me all around the hotel whem you first arrived." Vaggie informed smugly.
"Uh," Alastor said as he returned to the stove, "Yeeted?"
Vaggie groaned, this guy really didn't know anything modern did he? "It means thrown around." She informed bluntly, "Well if we're done here then I'm heading to work."
She turned around, about to head out of the kitchen when suddenly Charile appeared in front of the entryway.
"Vaggie!" She excitedly exclaimed, "I've been looking for you! You weren't in your room, which concerned me a bit because you're usually asleep at this time."
Vaggie shrugged halfheartedly, a small smile on her face upon seeing Charile, "Getting up early once in awhile is a nice change of pace."
Especially when you're anxiety doesn't give you much of a choice in the matter.
Charile nodded, "Yeah! But anyway I just read the play! And it's soooooooooooo good! I can't BELIEVE you never showed me it before!"
Vaggie chuckled blushing at the compliment, "Jeez. It's not that great hun," though she quickly realized, "Wait you read the entire thing already? In one night?"
Charile let out a nervous chuckle, "Well, I kind of didn't sleep-"
"Charile!" Vaggie called out scoldingly, though honestly not surprised, Charile stayed awake two whole nights in a row to watch all the harry potter movies.
"Sorry!" Charile said frantically with a laugh.
"And people say I'm an insomniac." Alastor laughed.
Charile rolled her eyes, but didn't say anything to him, "Either way. Words can't describe how much I love it! The story was great and I love the characters! Especially Gabriella and Lorenzo! Gah! I shipped them so hard! And man the ENDING! It left me utterly shooketh."
"No spoilers darling!" Alastor called out, finishing making his breakfast, "I haven't finished it yet."
"Ooooh, you need too. You won't regret it." Charile giggled.
Vaggie smiled at all of this, though also was both greatly confused and worried.
Did Charile not notice the parellels to her life in the play? Or was just not saying anything about it in front of Alastor? Again not everything was mirroring her life perfectly in the play, but enough for someone like Charile to tell and enough for someone like Charlie to be able to figure out what fiction and what was based on true events.
There were many scenes that were based off the horrible things Vaggie had done while she was alive. And knowing Charile she would at least be concerned.
Did she really not notice? Had she become so insignificant since they broke up?
She was probably overthinking things, Charlie was probably going to bring it up in private. Though Vaggie figured she should be grateful if Charile didn't notice, that meant she wouldn't have to deal with Charlie finding out how terrible she was but on the other hand.
It meant that she didn't care enough or pay enough attention to her to notice anything.
Thankfully Charile continued to talk, not giving time for Vaggie to think about it too much.
"But this play is perfect for the hotel! I mean it tricks into thinking it's encouraging sin but by the end it shows you how badly it messes up your life and-" Charlie looked to Alastor, "Well, can't reveal the rest because spoilers."
Alastor just continued to smile before placing his food on a plate, then going to the table to eat it.
Charile went on, "Alastor and I already got a stage ready, you'll need to check it out. Oh! And I can't wait for the auditions!"
Vaggie playfully rolled her eyes, "Actually about that, I've already made a few casting decisions."
Vaggie could feel Alastor giving her a look, probably an expression saying something like, 'Really? You haven't told her yet?' But Vaggie didn't even bother to look at him.
"Oh! Do tell!" Charile said excitedly.
"Well I was thinking you could play Gabriella." Vaggis said, starting off.
"Me? Really!?" Charile squealed, "Oh! I'd love to! Any ideas for Lorenzo?"
"I was thinking Alastor actually.." Vaggie admitted trying to keep up her best happy facade. She hated the idea of pairing the two up, but it was for the best. Besides maybe she could earn some brownie points for being a good wingman for Charile at least.
Charile looked at Alastor, with a certain smile that Vaggie remembered being directed at her once. "That sounds great!" Charile giggled.
Vaggie felt like a knife had been wedged deep into her chest, but ignored the pain the best she could, "Right. I was also thinking of performing myself-"
"Really!?" Charlie loudly exclaimed, "Who!? Please tell you'll be playing Gaberillas best friend or maybe-"
"I'm playing Isla." Vaggie interrupted bluntly.
Charile blinked, "Who?"
"Antonio's maid." Vaggie reminded, "You see her, after Gaberilla makes a deal with him."
"Ooooooh." Charile let out seeming to remember, "Well. So glad you're getting involved!"
Her disappoint was obvious but thankfully Charile continued on.
"Any other ideas? I personally think Angel Dust would be a perfect choice for Antonio, don't ya think?" Charile asked.
"I actually do," Vaggie said, nodding in agreement, "And I can see Nifty being a good choice for Gaberillas mother."
Indeed Angel could easily match Antonios bad boy flare and Nifty was excitable enough to have the energy for Gaberillas mother.
Charile nodded, "Ooo! I didn't even think about Nifty being the mother! That actually fits her so well."
"Glad you agree." Vaggie chuckled.
"This is gonna be so good!" Charlie squealed, "I can't wait to tell everybody!"
Vaggie chuckled, "Uh, yeah, um when you announce it can you not tell everyone I wrote it? I'm still a bit hesitant about this whole thing."
She knew Alastor was probably giving her another look but she didn't even look at him.
Thankfully though Charile nodded in agreement.
"Of course." She said giving her a comforting pat on her shoulders, "Besides I already asked Alastor to show you to the stage we'll be using, it's in a bit of a werid location but it's a good place. And I have some ideas for some costumes! I can get the sketches!"
Alastor spoke before Vaggie could, "Please do my dear! I could fix us some pancakes and we could discuss them."
Vaggie visibly glared at him but no one commented on it.
"Oooh! That sounds great! I love pancakes!" Charlie exclaimed before running off.
Vaggie looked at Alastor, still glaring, "Way to give me a choice in the matter."
"Well that was just to get rid of her for a bit, I like Charile but she can be annoying sometimes." Alastor continued on before Vaggie could say anything, "Besides I need to show you to the stage, don't I?"
Vaggie scoffed, "First off, you aren't showing me anywhere. You'll write down the address like I asked and I'll get it out myself." She huffed then pulled out a mini notebook and pen then handed it to him.
She often carried one around to remind her of certain manager duties, and incase she got a burst of inspiration then needed to write down ideas for future stories.
She still mostly used a laptop for that kind of thing but writing with a traditional pen and paper was nice as well.
Almost smugly Alastor wrote it down and handed it back to her, "Surely it be no trouble for me to show you."
Vaggie was about to respond with 'don't care' but got a better idea.
"Actually it would." Vaggie informed with a smile.
The confusion on his face was priceless.
"I have to check out the stage and get a good idea of the place, I'll need a few hours and thanks to our manager I don't have as much work because I'm the executive." Vaggie couldn't help but giggle, "And you need to attend to your manager duties, and since you asked Charile you'll also have to help her with the costumes."
"But you're the director, shouldn't you be here to make the final decision." Alastor argued back.
"Nah. I trust you and Charile on this. Even if you are shitty you have a good sense of fashion and character." Vaggie hated the words coming out of her mouth, she didn't want to admit anything positive about this shitlord, "Besides you agreed to be the hotels manager you can be trusted with big decisions, though I recommend you don't take too long because you have other responsibilities. Tell me.." Vaggie took a deep breath, "Have you even started on a schedule for this week, did any stock checkings, checked the hotels repair and cleaning equipment, looked at this months budget, wait what about-"
Vaggie proceeded to name off several more thing, talking at lightning speed and not even stopping to breath.
Honestly Alastor could barley keep up and for a second he almost seemed genuinely terrified, well keyword there was almost.
"Have you started any of that!?" Vaggie exclaimed finally taking a moment to breath.
"I-uh," Alastor looked around, "No."
"Then you have a loooong day ahead of you." Vaggie chuckled almost sounding sinister, "So I suggest you don't take long with Charile." Vaggie turned around walking away, "Tell Char I'm off to see the stage, oh and she likes chocolate chip pancakes just some advice for when you make 'em."
She walked away before he could say anything.
She still hated the idea of those two being together, but its not like she could do anything.
She just hoped Charile was happy with him. Maybe happier than she ever was with her.