I own nothing but would love to know what y'all think!

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As Charlie moved downstairs she heard a static humming coming from the kitchen. The unmistakable hum of the radio demon. Every once in a while Alastor would get a flair to cook for them, usually after he was riding the high of taking down another Overlord, and while the food was surprisingly delicious there was always a little bit of hesitance from the guests to touch anything meat related given his disposition. She felt herself filled with dread at the thought of the angel upstairs as the admittedly delicious smell reached her nose.

"Hey...Al?" Charlie said hesitantly, poking her head in. Alastor was hard at work, stirring a pot of... something as his shadows danced around the room supplying chopped vegetables and spices. Alastor seemed remarkably unaware, continuously humming as he stirred, tasted, stirred again.

"Al!" Charlie exclaimed, slightly louder. The deer demon jumped with a start, shadows vanishing and chopped onions and pepper falling to the floor as the shadows receded. Charlie almost bolted for the door as he turned to face her, immediately regretting her intrusion. The music buzzing round him switched to static as if the station was lost which resounded through the room with a deafening feedback.

Her fear dulled as his face shot into a beaming grin, yellow teeth glinting. The horrible tone re-routed and moved back into an upbeat jazz as he exclaimed, "Charlotte my dear, you're here just in time." Before she could move further back from him he had grabbed her by the hand and twirled her towards the stove, handing her the spoon with a flourish before dancing off to the discarded ingredients. "It was ambitious of me to try for this alone. My mother never could make her famous jambalaya without my assistance and my friends," he indicated to the reappearing shadows, "are eager to help but just don't have the touch!"

Charlie shook her head from the sudden movement, and gave him a weak smile as she began to awkwardly stir the pot. She had to admit, it smelled delicious. She opened her mouth to speak but was quickly cut off by Alastor's excitement. "An angel, HERE! can you believe it? Why this plot just keeps getting thicker and thicker! Just like the jambalaya. And that's the secret my dear. Variety is the spice, balance is the flavor, and sharing is what makes it worth the effort."

He felt a pang in his un-beating heart as he quoted his mother. He used to roll his eyes as a child when she announced the same and here he was following in her footsteps. But it was necessary, he knew. Still riding the buzz of whisky and words from Lucifer he knew familiarity was just the thing to trigger the new guests' memory. And it had to be perfect. Sure he had been slapdash in his recreations in the past but this time it had to be by the book.

"It's...um...I'm so happy you're doing this….but you haven't given a full meal to any other new-"

"Well I think you and I both understand this is quite the anomaly my dear!" he cut her off, popping over one shoulder and grinding pepper, before leaving a shadow behind to continue in his place and sprinkling chili over her other shoulder. Charlie tried to hold her composure but he moved so expertly quick it was hard to not react. In truth, a part of her was thrilled to see his excitement over the new lady but she couldn't hold down the sickness in her stomach for the same reason. Normally Alastor was aloof or domineering over new guests….striking fear not hospitality. But he seemed genuinely...interested...in this one. It was a big deal sure, but quite a different reaction than this morning. And she couldn't be sure….what he intended.

"Of course, and thank you so much for doing all this but...Al...I...she might just want to stay in her room tonight. It is...it's a big shift for her."

"Nonsense! If we want to make her feel welcome we need to show the gal some hospitality. You're trying to convince an angel you have sincere prospects, you have to prove your not all hat and no cattle." He gave her a boop on the nose, making her blush and jump back before dumping sliced raw meat into his concoction. The smell that filled the kitchen was positively delectable but she couldn't help the way her stomach turned at the sight.

"Al we've talked about-"

"Venison my darling, merely venison," he declared, but his voice was suddenly low and growling with static. "No one anyone knows I assure you." Charlie gulped at the insinuation. It was possible he got it from a typical butcher but knowing his reputation…"I would never serve our heavenly host anything untoward," He cut through her thoughts. "Trust me darling I intend to win over this newcomer."

Charlie again gave him a weak smile. "You just seem...um…," she giggled nervously. "Very involved….is all?" He didn't respond. But she knew he had heard her, which only unnerved her more. "Al...you seemed really put off by her...I just was wondering if you...you know…"

"You're wondering if she's a victim of mine?"

Charlie's words caught in her throat as he was suddenly nose to nose with her, a shadow stirring in his place. She opened her mouth to protest but he backed away and chuckled, a sinister smirk on his lips. She was suddenly more aware of his sharp yellow teeth.

"I assure you Charlotte. I mean no harm." He held out his hand as a shadow scooped the pot into a bowl and placed it securely in his glove. "What room do I bring it too?"

Charlie hesitated but divulged the number. Praying to herself (or her father) that she wouldn't regret it. With a snap, the radio demon was gone and she was left alone in a messy kitchen. She sighed….she felt bad for Nifty who would be there in seconds to tidy up, but knew she needed to hit the stairs to supervise the food delivery.