White Envelope.

To those that do not reside in Hell, they would never be able to tell apart day and night. The truth was that Hell only existed in the realm of night. One could find a black orb donning a pentagram snuggled comfortably among the grey clouds, taking the role of an eternal moon. On this particular night, one called Charlotte Magne stared at it. Her expression forlorn.

She rested her elbows on the balcony's edge and was lost in thought. Much ran through her mind and it was no wonder she was sad. The hotel that she created and invested a great magnitude of time into had no business. What kind of hotel had no clients, with almost three weeks of having its doors open?

'Charlie?'

The interruption was welcome for it came from Vaggie. Nonetheless, the demon princess only hummed in response. The grey-skinned demon joined her girlfriend's side on the balcony. 'You've been here for over an hour. Everything okay?' Her voice was tender and comforting. Charlie, for that was her nickname, smiled. 'Yeah.'

'Come on, what's going on? You know I'm here for you.' Vaggie placed her hand on Charlie's shoulder, giving it a light squeeze. Charlie laughed nervously. 'Can never fool you, can I?'

With the ease in tension, Charlie revealed her worries to her best friend and lover. She explained how the stagnant state of the hotel worried her, how Alastor's involvement might have scared away any potential clients, and also not to mention how Angel Dust's public display of entering a turf war may have had a part in it as well.

'Hell never had something like this, y'know? A rehab hotel for demons. I think you need to give it time and see what happens,' Vaggie said. Charlie nodded and straightened up; determination set in her shoulders. Though, the sadness never left her eyes. 'Thanks, Vaggie.' She squeezed her girlfriend's hands. 'Let's go back in, don't want Angel burning the place down now.'

Vaggie smiled at Charlie's joke and the pair walked back into the hotel. It must be noted that the arachnid demon had not set fire to the establishment in the absence of the two demonesses.

...

It wasn't an uncommon sight to find Charlie walking floor to floor and taking her time to ensure that everything in the hotel was functional and in place. It was an act she did every day for she had the luxury of time and not to mention her high hopes for the hotel. She would frequently encounter Niffty, a cheery demoness who had a higher-than-normal enthusiasm for cleaning. Niffty would be more than happy to see Charlie and would speak in her usual manner; quickly and excitedly. The demon princess no longer had issues understanding Niffty and would, in a way, enjoy their brief conversations.

On the highest level, Charlie passed the private quarters of the infamous Radio Demon. She recalled how he simply claimed the room by waltzing in and slamming the door shut behind him. Room number 50 had more meaning in the Hazbin hotel than ever before. Soon enough, Charlie finished her rounds and went down to the front desk which was managed by none other than Vaggie.

'Everything is as it should be.' Charlie told Vaggie, who currently sat slumped behind the front desk.

Vaggie frowned when the front doors burst open. Charlie turned to see Angel walking in. 'Daddy's home!' he proclaimed. His flirtatious smile boasted bright white teeth save for a single tooth of gold.

'Where in the nine circles have you been?' Vaggie sprung from her seat and pointed an accusing claw at him. Nonplussed as he was, one set of arms adjusted his hair and the other set rested on his hips. From the way he looked at himself in the mirror hung in the lobby, it was obvious Angel lacked no confidence.

'Come on, sweetheart.' He glanced over his shoulder at her. 'Screamin' like that is just gonna scare everyone away.'

Vaggie gripped the dark mahogany desk so tightly that her claws sunk into the wood's grain. Charlie threw an assuring look over to Vaggie before speaking. 'You're supposed to be under rehabilitation. The whole point is to keep you clean,' she scolded. Angel simply waved one of his hands at her and began walking away.

'Yeah, yeah, whateva' ya say doll.' His direction was towards the bar, where grumpy Husk would soon be "entertained" by the busty spider.

Back in the lobby, Charlie sighed. Due to her luscious blonde hair, rosy cheeks and lips that almost always fell into a smile, it was hard for her to intimidate others. It was her optimistic nature that set her apart from other citizens but it was also what made her an easy target. If her father were not Lucifer, circumstances would have been completely different.

'Oh great, what do you want?' Vaggie spat. The sound of static was barely audible but all knew what it meant. Charlie turned around and saw Alastor smiling down at Vaggie, who had approached him from her desk. When Charlie noticed the silver object in Vaggie's hand, she quickly rushed over to them.

'Goodness gracious what a bark! It appears we've assigned you to the wrong job.' Alastor rubbed his chin in consideration.

Without sparing another second, Charlie grabbed Vaggie's spear. 'Woah, no need for that.' She giggled nervously and slowly pried away the lethal weapon. She tucked the spear away, faced Alastor and forced a big smile. 'H-hey there, Al,' she greeted.

One would deem it impossible for Alastor's smile to widen further but it did. 'I came down here to see what all the commotion was, dear Charlie!' He bent down to her eye-level. 'But I see you handled yourself well enough.' Alastor turned his head towards Vaggie. 'I hate to say that I am disappointed in you but I must. Not only do you frown but now I learn you raise your voice at poor, wayward souls?' He straightened up and put a hand to his chest. 'I see it now, yes!' He spun on his heel and motioned to the archaic space. 'It is the unwelcoming environment, the harsh treatment-'

'Yeah pin it all on me, asshole. Nothing to do with you at all,' Vaggie said sarcastically.

'How noble of you to admit it so! Ah but it is beside the point. Hmm, I wonder if maybe-'

'Nope, we are changing nothing. It won't happen again so forget about it,' Charlie said firmly. Alastor's head turned an approximate 180 degrees to face the princess. 'Well, something has to! You've noticed the lack of entertainment?'

Charlie swallowed. 'Umm, don't you mean "clients"?'

He guffawed heartily. 'Of course! Say, we can discuss this further in your-'

Of all the times Alastor was interrupted, this time it was from a levitating white envelope that nudged him. His head snapped forwards and looked at the small, thin object that persistently prodded at his arm. He plucked it out of the air and his eyes scanned the writing on the front of the envelope. Alastor's head cocked to side.

'Do you uh- wanna open it or something?' Charlie asked.

'Ha! If you insist.' Using his claw, he tore the top open cleanly and removed a folded paper. After unfolding the paper, he read the content in silence and went through the letter quickly. Alastor smiled and tucked the letter back neatly into the envelope, and the envelope into his coat. 'This has been lovely but something requires my attention,' he said nonchalantly.

Charlie and Vaggie exchanged looks. 'Is it serious?' Charlie asked solemnly.

Alastor shook his head, his smile firmly in place. 'Of course not, my dear. How sweet of you to care.' He pinched Charlie's cheek lovingly, adding to Vaggie's anger. He pulled away and made way to the hotel's front doors. 'Don't let the business crash and burn while I'm gone!' The doors slammed shut after him. A comfortable silence fell in Alastor's absence and the demonesses appeared to relax. The peace lasted for a few seconds before Angel's cheerful laugh resonated throughout the hotel.

Charlie smiled. 'Gee, what was that about?'

'Dunno but Angel sure is happy.'

The blonde rubbed her arm nervously. 'I meant Alastor. I really got weird vibes from him.'

Vaggie rubbed her face. 'Charlie, we talked about this. You can't try to help everyone in hell. Plus, he is all about "weird vibes" so don't even think about it.'

Charlie shrugged. 'I know, I know.' She chuckled sheepishly. 'Don't think about it. Right. Gotcha.' She inhaled sharply and puffed up her chest. 'Let's go see what Angel's up to.'

'No good probably.'

The absence of Alastor was soon forgotten as a lighter tone possessed the hotel. At the bar, the group of demons chatted and joked with one another. One benefit that came with the absence of clients is that they could all meet and speak without a care in the world. A distraction from a failing business, as one would put it.

As the final hours rolled in, Alastor still had not returned to the hotel and no word was heard from him. There was no news to be found on television, either. Such would be the case for the next two nights.

...

'If he's dead we'll know so shut up and drink ya whiskey.'

The wise words of Angel did little to calm the demon princess. 'Al never just disappears.' Charlie gasped suddenly. 'Maybe he was kidnapped!'

Angel laughed. 'Ya shoulda become a comedian, toots. Really missed your mark on that one.' He took her unattended whiskey and took a sip from the crystal.

'Let's be real here. He either abandoned the business or is planning to level this place,' Vaggie said bitterly. Charlie sunk deep into the bar room's sofa and crossed her arms.

'He has better not fucking left me here,' Husk growled.

'I love it when ya talk dirty.' Angel purred pleasantly.

Charlie drowned out the quarrelling between the two demons. The grandfather clock showed the time to be close to eight. Would it be another day without Alastor's return?

'Do you really think he is going to destroy the hotel?'

Vaggie, who was sprawled on the opposite sofa, groaned softly. 'The business, yeah. The whole building, probably not. He doesn't want to piss off Lucifer.'

'I think Al likes this place,' Charlie countered.

'You thought demons would be all chipper for a chance to be redeemed. Look where that got us.'

Charlie's head snapped up like she was struck. Vaggie's eyes widened as she realised what she said. 'Charlie, I didn't mean-'

'Don't say anything.' The princess' eyes watered but she refused a single tear to form. 'I'm going for a walk.' She stood up from the luxurious leather sofa. Charlie flashed a glare at Vaggie the moment she looked like she would try to stop her. It did the trick and off on her way Charlie did go.

Like a stray she wandered through the hotel. The walls were adorned with many pictures of or relating to the Magne family. It was Charlie's idea, of course. The images depicted happy times and were meant to incite emotions associated with a warm home and not a cold and formal establishment. She stopped to look at the Magne family portrait. It was the largest picture on the wall of the lobby. Her parents behind her and she in-between and to the front of them. She looked at Lucifer, the forever smiling and ever powerful. Her father was constantly disappointed in her and she was made well-aware of the fact. She could almost hear her mother's voice, "Father wants what is best for you, love."

Mother. She looked at Lilith, the demoness who fell for an archangel. It was scandalous at the time but Lilith had no care in the world, or at least that is what she claimed. Her voluptuous figure and glowing skin immortalised on the canvas, in the image she stood proudly with her husband and the little slip of a daughter. Charlie knew she was nothing like her parents. She took her phone in her hands and looked at the calls her mother missed from her. It left Charlie yearning for her mother's love, a love that she thought she had. It was apparent that none believed in her, not even Vaggie.

'Aha! What is this? Sniffling nose and wet eyes, oh this will not do!'

Charlie turned around in a flash and gasped. There before her appearing just as the day he left; Alastor. 'Al!' she squeaked. He had spoken before she could register the static on her skin.

Alastor appeared next to Charlie and put his arm around her. 'Tell me dear, what ails you so?'

She pulled away and looked up at him. 'What the- where were you? You just disappeared!'

His red eyes and sharp-toothed grin widened simultaneously. 'I was gone for only a moment, my dear. Is that why you're upset?'

The lack of malice in his voice was what made Charlie pause. 'N-no. Just some love stuff, don't bother.'

'If that is the case then, I am starving! Should I prepare something for your subjects?' He said in his usual enthusiastic manner.

'Nah, we're good.' She wrung her hands and broke eye contact. 'Al, you were gone for four days.'

He laughed merrily. 'Four days!' Alastor picked up his microphone which opened its eye at his sudden attention. 'Am I hearing this right?'

The microphone responded, 'We're hearing the same thing as you are, good man!'

'My! Time does fly when you're having fun. Am I right, Charlie?' Again, he tightly wrapped his arm around her and laughed theatrically.

'Umm, Al?' Her voice trembled. When his ruby eyes landed on her, he raised a curious brow. 'Y-you're bleeding. From your uh-' she gestured to his forehead. He swiped at his forehead with his free hand. His claws came back stained with angry red blood. He cocked his head to side and, to Charlie's surprise, his smile wavered.

'Ha! Must have been a door frame, imagine that!' He laughed again. The princess noticed a strange silence loom over them. The static had dropped.

'Where were you?'

His soft ears perked up. 'Somewhere in hell, that's for sure,' he teased. Something in Alastor's tone commanded her to cease prying. As he led her to the kitchen, Charlie noticed the static finally return. The Radio Demon prattled on as usual but the demoness' curiosity and worry only increased.

...

Try as she might, Charlie could not shake the feeling of danger each time she thought of Alastor. Any common demon would agree and wonder where her mind had been all the while. However, Charlie would argue, Alastor's behaviour was abnormal. She did not trust sharing her feelings with Vaggie. The moth demon had a habit of dismissing her concerns, especially when it came to Alastor.

Her pouting did not go unnoticed by Angel who plopped himself next to her on the leather sofa with a bored groan. 'Alright, talk.'

Charlie ignored him.

'Come on, toots. Why the long face?'

She crossed her arms defensively. 'You're just gonna laugh at me. Besides-' She looked at him, 'do you actually care?'

'Eh, what can I say? The program is workin' out for me.' He crossed his shapely legs. 'Enough foreplay, tell Angel where it hurts.'

Charlie's eyes glanced about the lounge. She sat up and looked behind her; nothing. Angel looked on with a raised brow. 'Look.' She edged closer to him and lowered her voice. 'Alastor was gone for four days and we get nothing.'

'That was two days ago, babe. You still thinkin' about it?'

'You don't get it,' she hissed. Her blonde hair bounced about with her frantic hand movements. 'He is sketchy as fuck but he loves to brag. He gets some letter, disappears and says nothing about it?'

Angel squinted. 'Yeah, I get ya. He went on a killing spree and made sure everyone knew. Well, almost everyone,' he snickered. His lower set of arms rested on the sofa and the other crossed under his breasts. 'If Al doesn't wanna tell ya what happened, you'll never know.'

'What if Vaggie is right? Maybe this was all some voodoo shit to make me go crazy.'

Angel tapped his chin in thought while Charlie rambled on. 'Shut up for a second, I'm thinking.'

'What?' She asked innocently.

'You better keep what I say to yourself, missy.' When Charlie nodded, he continued, 'This broad does detective work for the big wigs 'round these parts. I think she can help ya too.'

'A detective? In hell?' She sounded sceptical.

'I'll do ya one better. We can go see her now, like right now.'

'I dunno, Angel. I feel like I'll be betraying Al.'

Angel stood up and brushed himself off. 'Well he is lying to ya so I think you have reason enough. Come on snookums, I'm doin' ya a solid.'

While Charlie contemplated her decision, Angel took this time to style his hair. He heard his name called from a distance. It was Charlie by the lounge's exit, looking impatient as ever.

'Lead the way.'

...

The limousine stopped in front of a high-end condominium. The walls of the complex appeared to be made of mirrors, reflecting the scenery around it. Occasionally it would pulse and a ray of colours would spread over the condominium like a wave. Charlie looked around and found that many of the buildings were tastefully made and designed. She signalled the driver to wait for her and Angel.

'How do you know where she is?' Charlie asked as Angel stepped out of the limousine.

'I was the middle-man. Valentino tells me somethin' and I go tell her. She tells me somethin' and I go to him. Real simple.' He slammed the door shut behind him. 'She's in that trippy condo.'

Together the two went to the building's supposed front as there was a directory embedded in the wall and no front door. Charlie squinted at the list of names and numbers with their respective buzzers. 'What did you say her name was?'

'Nah, she just goes by a numba'.' He searched then pressed the buzzer assigned to "41". When no reply came, Angel scowled and pressed the buzzer again with his black claw. Finally, the speaker cracked as the other side answered.

'State your business,' a deep masculine voice said.

'Hey Don,' Angel purred. He glanced at Charlie who stared at him with wide eyes. He winked at her and earned a blush. 'Is Amelia in? I got a client who wants to see her.'

A disappointed sigh was heard from the speaker. 'Come in.'

A section of the mirror-wall dematerialised to expose an archaic oak door. On it was the number 41. Angel opened the door and motioned Charlie to follow. Once through, Charlie noticed she was in a hallway and before her again was the same door. She turned around to see her entry point gone and a solid wall in the place of it.

'A portal?' She breathed.

'Yeah, pretty sweet if ya ask me.'

Once again, the pair went through door 41. Charlie noticed the earthy smell of wood first and then only the shades of brown that came from the hardwood floors, desk, and another door. At said desk was a bull that sat hunched over his papers. On the desk was a rotary phone which Charlie believed connected to the buzzer outside.

'Heya there, Don. Love the nose ring.' Angel tapped on the golden ring that went through the bull's nasal septum. Don pulled away and sneered at the whorish cross-dresser. 'Listen, I'd love to chat but Lucy's pride and joy-' His many arms pointed at the pepperoni-cheeked lady. '-needs to see ya boss. Pronto.'

The bull glared at him and its eyes burned hot with anger. The fact that he did not immediately lunge at Angel indicated that he experienced such treatment before.

'What Angel means-' Charlie quickly stepped in beside him. '-is that I require the services of miss Amelia and would like you to let her know I'm here,' she said in the calmest and sweetest tone she could muster.

'Now those are manners, if I could say so myself.' The new voice grabbed the attention of the newcomers. The creature at the office door was humanoid in appearance and what set her apart from being completely human were the small rounded white ears that poked through the top of her head, fingers that stretched into black claws and a nose with a blackened tip. Her pale skin contrasted the knee length black A-line dress she donned. 'I hope you were taking notes, Anthony.'

'Did ya just came back from Hitler's funeral?' Angel looked her up and down.

'How I wish that were the case.' She stepped to side and gestured to the two chairs inside. 'Please, come in.'

...

The fourth wall of the office could be mistaken for a window when, in truth, it allowed light to move only in one way. On the outside, it was a mirror. On the inside, it was a window. The view indicated that the office was located among the highest floors of the condominium. A true nightmare for those with acrophobia.

'Would you care for some tea?' Amelia asked. Charlie looked away from the window and smiled.

'Yeah, thanks.'

'How about you?' she addressed Angel.

'You brits and your tea,' he scoffed. Charlie shot him an angry glare and he added, 'but yeah, fine.'

Amelia continued arranging her desk as tea cups and saucers floated through the air and set themselves. A teapot soon followed and poured fresh tea into each cup before floating away like a lazy bumblebee. When the clutter was handled, Amelia took a seat in the executive chair and rested her elbows on the dark oak.

'To business?' She suggested.

Charlie fidgeted in her seat. 'I was hoping you could… gather info on my uh- "associate"?'

Amelia's painted red lips morphed into a soft smile. 'This associate, do they have a name?'

'Alastor,' Angel interjected lazily.

Amelia's brows raised slightly. 'Am I correct to assume that you are referring to the High Demon?'

'Yeah, that's the one.' Charlie chuckled and rubbed the back of her neck. 'We've been working together on this project, not sure if you've heard of it. It's like a hotel but for sinners-'

'Pardon my interruption. I am well-aware of the project you speak of and who you are.' Amelia leaned back into the chair. 'Investigating a High Demon is an extremely delicate process and not to mention dangerous. It all comes down to the information you seek.'

Amelia's silence served as a cue for Charlie to speak, and so she did. 'About a week ago, he got a letter and then disappeared for four days. He won't tell me anything about it and it's so unlike him.'

'Him disappearing is uncommon?'

'I mean, no. But like we will always know somehow. He sends word or we see him on the news. And this time…'

'Radio silence?' Amelia finished.

Charlie chuckled in response; her shoulders held less tension.

'What do you need me to find out?'

The princess thought for a moment. 'Everything about that letter he got; who sent it, what was in there. Oh, and where was he during the-.'

Angel groaned loudly. 'Ya really not gonna ask how the strawberry pimp got his powers? You'll be paying a crap ton anyway so might as well get ya money's worth.'

'Angel!' Charlie warned.

'If ya knew where he gets his mojo from, maybe you'd have the upper hand for once.'

'Anthony,' Amelia's clipped accent sounded alien in the environment. 'Would it be fair of me to ask you to return to the lobby and remain there until our business is conducted?'

Angel rolled his eyes. 'I'll keep quiet,' he mumbled before taking a loud sip of his tea.

Amelia let out a heated breath. 'Charlotte, to finalise, what information do you require?'

Charlie gnawed on her lip in contemplation. 'Everything about the letter, where he was and the source of his power.'

'For an individual like Alastor, I will require a large sum for compensation.'

'How much?'

'A deposit of a thousand unmarked units of gold. When the job is done, an additional ten thousand units.'

Without missing a beat, Charlie agreed. Amelia could see Angel's jaw threatening to unhinge and fall into the deepest pits of hell. Soon after they settled and agreed upon further details of the investigation. Angel will again play the "middle-man" between Charlie and Amelia. Angel was to visit Amelia every week. If any ground-breaking piece of information was uncovered, Amelia was to meet with Charlie at the hotel under a disguise.

No contract was signed and instead a gentleman's agreement was made. This was to ensure that if Alastor were to catch wind of such a ploy that he wouldn't be able to uncover who sent the private eye. Amelia conducted an interview with Charlie regarding Alastor and what happened on the day he received the letter. When all things were said and done, Amelia bade a simple farewell to the demons and sent them back outside with another portal.

The private eye looked out the magnificent window that made Hell look more beautiful than it actually was.

'Boss, I'll be heading home now. Need anything?' Asked Don.

Amelia's raven curls slid over her shoulder as she turned back to look at him. 'No, thank you. Watch yourself out there.'

'You too, boss.' The door clicked softly.

Amelia leaned back against her desk and returned to stare at Lucifer's kingdom. Once more she fell into a reverie and lost herself. Eventually, she snapped out of it and leaves her office to return to her rustic cottage.

That night, she slept like a new-born.

...

A/N: Thank you for reading! I wanted to finish writing the whole story before uploading it on here but after a while I started to lose the motivation to write. A friend recommended that I start uploading and see what happens. I have no beta readers so I apologise for any grammatical and writing errors. At the time of this upload, I am almost done with chapter 8 and plan to upload 1 to 2 chapters every week. For this week I have uploaded 3 chapters. This story should have about 10 to 11 chapters and I will do my best to upload on time (if this is a kind of story that people want).

I am trying to become a better writer and have done my best to put out something that is worth your time. I'd appreciate any constructive critiscm or comments. I hope all of you are healthy and well!

Edit: I realised that the website has messed up the formatting of my story so I did my best to fix it. I have used three dots to show a change of scene and/or time (orignally I used an asterick but for some reason it was erased and can't be used). I am changing it for the other chapters so I hope that it will be an easier read after this. Again, thank you for reading!