Alastor stood outside the door with the bowl in hand, reminded of when he did the same on his Mother's arrival.
He preened his fur before knocking at the door. Surprised when it opened immediately.
Maybe it was the alcohol, but he felt his breath catch in his throat at the sight of her. She was in a silk robe, her hair braided back, but a few strands falling down her long swan-like neck. She was a beautiful girl. He had no interest in her as a woman but still wasn't used to seeing a lady so informally. She crossed her arms, pushing her bosom up even more, locking eyes with him.
He gulped and tugged at his collar, taking a moment before finding his words. "I ummm," he started and cleared his throat. "I brought you some food Darling."
Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Why are you talking like that?"
Alastor felt himself bristle and a slight crackling blossomed with his nerves. They hadn't spoken since the night he had brought her to the hotel. Even in life, she'd never met him before he had committed to his radio persona. Old insecurities started to creep in about his natural accent but he fought to push them away.
He gave a nervous laugh but felt the radio static seep into his chuckle. He cleared his throat again but couldn't fight the slight tinny sound that colored his words.
"Oh, the old dialect...comes and goes," he offered pathetically. She just stared. His smile slipped but he forced the corners of his mouth back up. Even now he was surprised at himself for not immediately remembering her. Of all his past mistakes she had been high on the list. She had made him feel like a schoolboy then, and now even more than in life.
Now seeing her here, he felt the same nerves from life. There were few he felt he had wronged so undeservedly and she was one of them. "We're all downstairs. You're free to eat in here if you like but I would love-" he caught himself, "WE would love for you to join us."
She smirked. "I'd like to politely decline," she responded, mocking his southern drawl.
He froze and a tone like sour feedback sounded through the hall. He stretched his face into a yellow toothed grin and narrowed his eyes back at her, relishing the slight tell of her fear as she stiffened.
But she held her ground. "I don't buy this new corn-fed hick thing you're doing," she said firmly. "You were always a wolf in sheep's clothing. Didn't fool me then and you won't now."
"I remember that a bit differently," he said in a low voice, feeling a triumphant fire in his stomach as she took a step back, eyes widening. Something menacing clicked in his head.
He leaned in close and could smell her fear. He could smell her. See the way that she deliciously trembled. It was just as before. He tried to do the right thing and she had a way of messing it up. It was her own fault she had died at his hand. If she would have just let him be good...he could have been. If she had been different and not tried to flee. If she was so ungrateful for his help...maybe she'd make a better meal. It had been weeks since he had eaten something other than pork or venison-
He teleported himself a respectable distance back. Shaking his head. He was suddenly embarrassed at himself. A flash in his head of her calling him a monster. A flash of him sobbing over her body.
He tugged at an ear and held out the bowl. "My darling I apologize," he smiled and laughed. "Not the most gentlemanly of me. I suppose my new diet is making me irritable and I'll admit you have a bit of an effect on me. It's...difficult." He saw her eyes almost soften. He held the bowl out defeatedly. "Please," he said, flashing her a grin. "You don't have to eat with me but you do have to eat."
The door slammed shut in his face. He crackled as a shadow took the bowl from him, giving him a look of disappointment. He rubbed his face. Irritation and hunger crept up on him. He was being good, wasn't he? Why wasn't it enough. He was angry at the demoness. He was angry at himself. Of course she hated him. He deserved the digs she took, but it still made an old anger bubble up inside of him. His mind wracked with confusion. Shaking his head he took a deep breath to calm himself. Plastering on a smile he teleported back to the kitchen.
