Chapter Eight: New Guest for the New Year
New Year was coming. And though it wasn't going to be as grand a celebration as Christmas had been, the hotel guests were enjoying each other's company. Charlie and Vaggie were even closer than they'd been before since Christmas Night. Charlie was cuddling with Vaggie, kissing her on the lips.
"Mmmm… Someone's been affectionate ever since Christmas." Vaggie chuckled, blushing happily and leaning into Charlie's touch. Charlie nodded, pulling Vaggie closer.
She was about to kiss Vaggie again when the doorbell rang. Charlie sighed and went to answer.
"Dad? Mom?" Charlie gasped, hugging Lucifer and Lilith tightly.
"Come in, come in! Hey, everyone! Round up! I'm sure you all know my parents by reputation. But this is my father, Lucifer. And this is my mother, Lilith. Vaggie remembered meeting Lucifer and Lilith. It had been the most nerve-wracking experience of her afterlife.
Charlie brought Vaggie to the palace to meet her parents. Vaggie had heard rumors about Lucifer, about his ruthlessness, his cunning and his evil. Both in life and in Hell, Lucifer was the very paragon of evil, or so she'd heard. So when she actually came face-to-face with the man, she wasn't expecting him to be the shortest member of his family. She expected a tall, intimidating man. Though she knew that he would likely have some traits in common with Charlie, she was somehow expecting a tall, muscular man with cloven hooves, red skin, claws and glowing golden eyes.
What she got was a man who was shorter than his wife and his daughter and while he didn't seem like he was ready to hurt her, she was still on edge, so when he reached out to shake her hand, she impulsively slapped it away. When she realized what she'd done, she went completely stiff, waiting for his reaction. Fortunately, he laughed. He'd never had anyone with that kind of gumption in his home before.
Dinner actually went pretty well after that, and though Vaggie was still tense and nervous about meeting not only her girlfriend's parents, but the king and queen of Hell, she managed to keep a pretty good tempo up and made a good impression on them.
-0-
"Mom, Dad… You've met Vaggie, my… Fiancée." Charlie blushed. She still wasn't used to calling her that. This is Angel Dust. He's doing really well. He's been off drugs for almost six months now.
"He's quit working for Valentino and he's doing really well in his therapy, but I can't tell you what's going on in therapy because that's confidential. This is Alastor. You know the Radio Demon, right Dad?" Charlie asked. Immediately, Lucifer stiffened, staring Alastor down.
Alastor's grin widened at Lucifer, but it was obvious the Deer Demon was nervous, staring calculatingly at Lucifer to try to determine whether Lucifer's stare was meant to be threatening or merely calculating. Either way, the Radio Demon didn't want to chance it. He stood and offered his hand to shake Lucifer's.
"Sir! It is a pleasure to meet you. Your daughter has changed the lives of many so far, my own included." Alastor said.
When Lucifer spoke, he had a surprisingly smooth, deep voice that seemed to resonate throughout the room. Though he was a slight man, his voice, though soft and unpressured, seemed to draw the attention of the entire room. Anyone who wasn't paying attention before definitely was now.
"Yes. A pleasure to meet you" Lucifer said carefully, shaking his hand, sensing no deal being brokered. Even if one wasn't verbally announced, a deal could still be in the works.
"How did you meet my daughter?" Lucifer asked.
"Oh, well! I saw her interview with Katie Killjoy on the news and was fantastically amused by it! 'Trying to redeem demons? That's wacky nonsense!' I said. 'A demon's chance was the life they lived before. 'This is merely the reward they wrought from that chance!' I said. But… Ms. Magne has since proven that reward and the possibility for redemption or lack thereof may not be as black and white as I thought. She's proven that she can at the very least make Demons better people. I mean, just look at Husker here. Before, he was a cranky, crochety, vindictive, alcoholic, gambling and smoking addict.
"Now, he's just a cranky, crochety, vindictive gambler. He's given up smoking and drinking! The progress this man has made has truly floored me!"
"Go fuck yerself!" Husker growled, certain that Alastor was being sarcastic. In fact, Alastor always kept that tone of voice. This time, he was actually being sincere… Well, as sincere was the Radio Demon could be. Lucifer nodded along with Alastor.
"Are you pursuing my daughter romantically?" Lucifer asked cautiously. Alastor laughed at that.
"Ahahaha! Ahhh… I do love jokes. But no. My initial interest in Ms. Magne was in investing in ongoing entertainment. I wanted to watch as her ridiculous plots crashed and burned around her. But as I said, they seem to be happy. So maybe they'll never leave Hell, but they're happy here." Charlie was shocked by Alastor's apparent sincerity. Was he just building up to tear her down later? Was this all just part of his ongoing plot to watch her plans fail? No. She couldn't believe that. Her entire goal was to give everyone who came through her doors a chance to prove themselves that they could be redeemed.
"I see. And who are these other people?" Lucifer asked, looking around at the rest of the guests.
"Dad… This is Cherri Bomb. She… Well, I first heard of her from Angel Dust when he aided her in a turf war against Sir Pentious shortly after the purge. She's doing much better now. Hasn't bombed a building in months." Charlie said.
"And… Oh, excuse me, Dad. Sounds like a guest is at the door." Charlie said, heading to the door and seeing a Demon with charcoal grey feathers and golden eyes.
"Hey. My name's Hawk. I was told that you're tryin' ta redeem people." Hawk said bluntly. Charlie couldn't quite tell if Hawk was male or female, and it ultimately didn't matter.
"Hawk… Please, come in. My mother and father are here visiting right now. But don't worry about them. Make yourself comfortable. I'll introduce you to the other guests as soon as absolutely possible." Charlie said.
"But you're mistaken on one thing. I can't redeem people. However, I am dedicated to helping people redeem themselves. It's a group effort and I hope that I can help you too." Charlie said. Hawk nodded gruffly, going into the hotel, looking around. It was a nice hotel, they thought to themselves.
"Hmmm… Wait… Angel Dust? The Angel Dust?" Hawk asked aloud. Angel nodded.
"Hey there, toots… What can I do ya for?" Angel smirked.
"Just wondering how a whore ended up in a hotel designed for redemption." Hawk smirked.
"Well ain't you charmin'?" Angel Dust sneered. Hawk rolled their eyes and went over to Lucifer.
"Should I bow to you? I don't e'zactly know how I'm s'posed to address royalty." Hawk said. Charlie could tell they were anxious. She didn't blame them. They just walked in and already were meeting the king and queen of Hell. Lucifer chuckled. Whoever this person was, they seemed to be on edge.
"You can bow if you want to. But right now, I'm just here as Charlotte's father." Lucifer said.
"Who's Charlotte? Which one is she?" Hawk asked.
"Um… Hi… Charlie… Short for Charlotte." Charlie smiled. Hawk thought for a minute.
"How do you get Charlie from Sharlot? Where does the S go?" Hawk asked. Hawk had been a pirate in life and had never learned or needed to learn to read. They had been born in the mid-to late 1700s and had been executed for piracy. While they had spent the majority of their life at sea, they took care of the birds on the ship and trained them to send messages. Privately, Hawk had yearned for the air rather than the sea. This was actually the first time Hawk had been on dry land in almost a year.
They spent as much time out in the seas of Hell as possible, even flying over open waters. The winds that they could catch were phenomenal and made them feel freer than they'd ever been. In a way, Hell was a better place for them than earth had been. Though in another way, perhaps Heaven would be even better. Supposedly, angels could all fly as well.
"So… What brings you to the Happy Hotel?" Charlie asked curiously.
"I guess I wanted ta see what it was like. Whether it was run by angels masquerading as demons er something." Hawk said. Angel Dust chuckled. If that comment described anyone, it was Charlie. She was definitely an angel in the skin of a demon. Lucifer was looking at Hawk. Though even Lucifer couldn't see specific sins in a person, he could read a person's aura, and in that aura were the marks left from sin in life. Hawk had been a particularly sinful, perhaps even evil person in life. Whatever brought them to the Hotel, Lucifer could tell that had a lot of work to do. And that was assuming redemption was possible.
And that was a very big assumption. He admired his daughter for her strong beliefs and her charisma and her ability to bring wayward souls together. She definitely showed more of him in herself than maybe even she recognized. But that didn't mean that, as sincere as her beliefs may have been, that she could turn a sinner into a saint. In fact, in all his time ruling over Hell, he'd never once seen a sinner come close to deserving any sort of re-evaluation of their destination even, much less a chance to leave Hell. Still, if she could prove him wrong. If an admittedly sincere, if naïve girl could prove Lucifer himself wrong.
Well, maybe then he would have to reassess his deal with Heaven about the Extermination each year.
"I can see that you have quite a little makeshift family here." Lucifer said. Though his tone was slightly condescending, he actually respected Charlie for her ability to get this particular group together. Though he had no interest, he at least recognized Angel Dust's name. And judging from the various sinners' auras, they ranged from fairly banal sins to having been truly vile in life and possibly in Hell as well. Either way, he could tell that Charlie truly had her work cut out for her.
"I'm happy to see that you are doing well, Dear. Congratulations on your engagement. I hope that your mother and I will be invited to your wedding, and best of luck with the hotel. We won't monopolize any more of your time." Lucifer said. He'd mostly come by to ensure to himself that Charlie was okay. He'd had a bad dream the previous night that she was assassinated by angelic weaponry and that he, while he was able to kill the assassin, had to see his daughter's limp body as she was lowered into her grave.
"Charlotte, if you would accompany me for a walk around the hotel." Lucifer said.
"I promise I won't take up much more of your time. I simply wish to inquire further about your… Life… How you're doing." Lucifer said. Charlie nodded and walked alongside him.
"Charlotte. While my precognition may not be as great as Gabriel's or Michael's, I have seen a vision in my dreams last night that an assassin is after you. It may simply have been a nightmare, but I would like it if you would permit me to post some bodyguards on you. I can assure you that they won't be unduly burdensome and that you'll still have relative freedom within the Hotel.
"However, you may not know this, but there have been assassination attempts on at least one other Prince recently. Stolas is his name. He's sent his daughter away to a safe location that she won't be put in jeopardy due to the target on his own head. However, I fear that this may be more than a personal vendetta that someone has with Stolas and may constitute a threat to all Nobles in Hell. As such, I would appreciate your indulgence of my concerns and your permission to allow bodyguards to monitor the hotel. You can offer whatever excuse you like for their sudden appearance.
"You can have them disguised as penitents aiming for redemption as the rest of the guests here are if you like. But at least I'll know that I've done all I can to protect you." Lucifer said. Charlie was surprised at first. She didn't expect her father to care this much about her. They hadn't spoken in years since shortly after she began planning her Hotel. But now not only did he 'hope to be invited to her wedding', but he was asking to post bodyguards for her in the hotel.
"Who are the bodyguards?" Charlie asked.
"They're Hellhounds. But they've been enhanced through the alchemical program that I insist all my personal guard submit to. You remember Lorcan, Lupa and Selene, right?" Lucifer asked. Charlie nodded.
"Of course. You had me spar with them to train my abilities as a child." Charlie said.
"Yes. They've personally requested this detail. They still feel an especial loyalty to you as their princess and wish to keep you safe." Lucifer said. Charlie continued walking with Lucifer and Lilith, thinking about it for a little while. She'd never received any threats on the Hotel.
She'd never received any threats to herself or any of her guests. However, that didn't mean that out there, there wasn't at least one person who wished her or her guests harm.
"Okay. But they're not allowed to wear their uniforms. They have to be in street clothes. I don't want them setting my guests on edge, and they have to try to blend in." Charlie said.
"Excellent. Lorcan, Lupa, Selene. You may show yourselves." Lucifer said coolly. One came out from behind the shrubs, an average height, slender but muscular woman. Another came out from the other side.
He was extremely tall and muscular and bulky and growled lightly in greeting. The third melted out of the shadow, about the same height as the first one and nodded to Lucifer and Charlie. All three were Hellhounds. Lorcan was fairly bulky and muscular and stood at least 6'9". Selene was shorter, standing only around 5'7" and was slender as well, but had a loping grace in her walk. Lupa was similar in appearance to Selene, being her twin sister. Lupa and Selene looked very different. Lupa had silvery-white fur and green eyes while Selene had jet black fur with a star mark on her forehead.
Lupa's fur seemed to glow like the moon. Selene's seemed to waver like shadow. Lorcan was tall and bulky and had charcoal grey fur that seemed to constantly stand on end. He had amber colored eyes. His physical appearance hadn't been changed that much by the alchemical process, but his eyes were constantly moving, seeming to look around for anyone who might pose a threat to his primary. His teeth were razor sharp and seemed to glisten with a silvery sheen like metal. They had a strange glint on them like they were serrated and his claws were equally razor sharp.
Lucifer had created these Hellhounds himself. He'd run tests for centuries to get the perfect process down to enhance his personal guard well past what a normal Demon could do. His guard, he culled from the best of the best. The alchemical treatments were hardly comfortable and in Hellborn Demons, it usually resulted in sterility and in both Sinners and Hellborn Demons, it usually resulted in drastic changes in appearance. They varied drastically in appearance and abilities. Lucifer had created a system by which a wide array of specialized soldiers could be created.
All had senses that were drastically sharpened. They had enhanced physical and mental abilities as well as senses. Their instinct was universally enhanced. But some had shadowy fur that allowed them to blend into shadows and even meld into shadows. Some had enhanced attacks and some had enhanced defenses. It just depended on what Lucifer needed at the time in a Hellhound and what abilities the natural Hellhound had. But one thing was certain. Lucifer chose only the best and brightest, only the finest specimens. It was said that the Nessian Hellhounds, the team of Hellhounds specially chosen by Lucifer to guard his palace, could detect an intruder before they even made it onto the estate.
Whether this was true or not was impossible to know, since nobody would be fool enough to attempt it.
"Milady…" Lorcan said, bowing to Charlie.
"Princess." Selene and Lupa said together.
"Hey, guys… Do you have any street clothes?" Charlie asked.
"I am digging the uniforms, but…"
"Pardon me, Your Highness, the last thing I wish to do is interrupt you, but our meeting is no longer private." Selene said, looking over behind a potted plant. Vaggie looked nervous as she stepped out.
"Vaggie! You spied on me and my parents?" Charlie asked.
"I spied on you, your parents and the Demons that were following you. I trust your parents. I didn't trust the Demons that were following you." Vaggie said. Lucifer sighed.
"Vagatha, please. Come over. This may benefit you to hear as well." The King of Hell said.
"How much did you hear of our conversation with Charlotte?" Lilith asked.
"Most of it. Charlie is being threatened?" Vaggie asked, nervous now.
"No, no… Not that we know of. I've had a lot on my mind lately. And these assassination attempts against Stolas may just be affecting my sleep. Perhaps it's nothing and Charlotte has no need to worry. But I would rather be safe than sorry. And nothing would make me sorrier than to hear that my darling daughter has been assassinated. So, if you'll indulge Selene, Lupa and Lorcan for a time." Lucifer said.
Vaggie sighed, looking at the Hellhounds. She wondered if anyone would believe that they were there for redemption. She looked them over, seeming to assess the trio.
"Is there any way that we could make them look a little less like Nessian Hellhounds. Maybe not everyone in the Hotel would know the difference. But I can guarantee that if anyone can, Alastor will be able to." Vaggie said. Lucifer thought for a long moment. He did have elixirs that would hide the more obvious traits of the Nessian Hellhound. But they were merely cosmetic and didn't last long.
"I'm afraid that's a negative. You'll just have to trust that my three guards will be able to allay the others' suspicions well enough. We'll see ourselves out and allow Lupa, Lorcan and Selene to get situated in the Hotel." Lucifer said, hugging and kissing Charlie and saying goodbye.
"Excuse me, Sir. Can I please have a moment of your time?" Vaggie asked Lucifer. Lucifer nodded.
"Charlotte, Lilith, go back to the common area. Allow Ms. Vagatha and I a moment." Lucifer said.
Lilith nodded and took Charlie to the common area.
"Congratulations on your engagement." Lucifer said, looking down at Vaggie's ring. It was lower quality than Lucifer had been expecting. But it wasn't really his business.
"What really brings you here today? You clearly didn't just come by to visit. You wouldn't have brought two members of your special ops team if you were just visiting. And even if she was just being threatened, you could have just sent the Special Ops team." Vaggie said. Lucifer smiled.
"I really did want to see Charlotte. I'm still not sure I believe she can redeem Demons. At least not in the way she wants to. If you or she had any idea what Heaven was really like, you would know why I say that and why I say that Heaven isn't necessarily the goal you want to aspire to." Lucifer said, a note of distaste in his voice. Do you know about the Cherubs who were recently banished from Heaven? I guess… I believe that Charlie has the best interests of others at heart in this endeavor of hers. But… I don't want to see her heart get broken when she realizes what her goal really is.
"If she realizes that Demons can't be redeemed and that the path down here is a one-way trip, I'm not sure that she'll recover from that level of disappointment. But conversely, what if Demons can be redeemed. One by one, her friends and loved ones are removed from her. She watches as they ascend in a beam of light. Beam me up, Scotty. Right? Ehehehehe… But seriously… What will she do when you're gone? When Alastor is gone? When Angel Dust and Niffty and Husk are gone?
"Sure, by that point, she'll be so well-known for her miracle working that people will be flowing into the hotel faster than she can book them. But what about her ability to make personal connections with any of them? Maybe just making a safe space for Demons who want one and promise to be on their best behavior is better than trying to help them leave her." Lucifer said.
"But forgive me. I've rambled. I really did want to see how she was doing. And it seems she's doing quite well. I'm happy for you and her, and hope that Lilith and I will get to be at the wedding." Lucifer said.
"Furthermore, I hope that you and she are ready for the baby that's growing inside you right now." Lucifer said bluntly, looking down at Vaggie's stomach.