They're coming out shorter but they're still coming! Breif interlude as I try to figure out exactly how I want to work the Kat/Michael report.

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Alastor hummed and twirled his cane as he walked down the hall, the demon dancer cautiously at his heels.

"Not that I'm not grateful...but...where are we going?"

Alastor gave a sideways glance at the nervous girl and chuckled. "The Hazbin Hotel. You'll be safe and well cared for there. And who knows! Maybe you'll even be persuaded to stay." Out of the corner of his eye he saw her grimace, but when he turned to face her, she immediately dropped the expression, looking down at the floor. He stopped suddenly and examined her. She was very small. Obviously clyclopian. Too much skin currently showing. He shrugged off his coat and moved to slip it over her shoulders but she immediately backed away in fear. He sighed. "It'll be a cold walk my dear."

She crossed her arms and he felt amused at the small act of defiance. "I'm not...," she started, but then a look of confusion crossed her face. "Did you say walk?"

"Well how else did you think we'd get there?"

"I don't know...with your weird teleport...trick?"

Alastor gave a dark chuckle. "Never tried it with two people. I honestly couldn't promise you it would work," his eyes looked up thoughtfully and his cheshire cat grin overtook his face. "I'm sure at least some of you would come along...if you want to experiment."

She balked. "No! No I just...why aren't we staying here?"

"Well you can but they aren't vampires. Being indoors doesn't guarantee your safety."

She pursed her lip. "Can you...keep them away from us."

Alastor faltered slightly. Maybe he could. But he had already overestimated himself once tonight. He sighed. "I can promise I'll do my best. But I can't leave you to the dogs and the Exorcists-"

"Why?"

He stopped for a moment, realizing he wasn't actually sure. Something about the girl just...seemed familiar. He felt a need to-

"Why does a serial killer want to help me? You're a monster...not a hero…"

Crackling signals began to fill the room but as irked as he was, he was impressed at her stony face.

"Have we met?" His eyes narrowed.

"Not...not down here…" he could see her strength becoming more strained. Her voice shook. "But...you may look different but…"

Suddenly his eyes widened.

Hardly a memory. It was hazy. A knife. A scream. His glasses shattering from a kick to the face. His blurred vision making it difficult but he still caught her ankle. She crashed to the ground and he was on her, knife brandished.

"Darling, I…" his voice popped and crackled. "I'm so…" All of the radio presence dropped from his voice and his eyes fell to the floor. "I'm so sorry," he finished, in a strangely human voice.

His vulnerable form seemed to empower her. She stood up straighter, cocking an eyebrow. "Sorry," she repeated. "Sorry isn't worth anything. And chasing off a dog isn't-"

"I'll get you somewhere safe," Alastor interrupted, a desperation in his voice that the re-establishing radio persona almost covered. Almost. "You're right, I'm no hero. But I am a deal maker, trying to make up for some...very bad deals."