A/N: A rather quick chapter, no worries, there will be a lot more from Hazbin on the future.
RyantheSamurai;
"Thanks! Yes, I was aware of the names, but I wanted to do something else regarding that. (I was not going with just that for names, it was too silly anyway, lol) Blitzo and Loona are far away from getting over their problems, and it won't be different here. Stay Tuned! :)"
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
"Soooo, how did you get here? They killed you and you showed around?"
"I'm... not dead."
"Wait... what?! You're still a... no way."
"Why? This still means I'm a Fallen, right?"
"Actually, I don't think so. What kind of sin you committed to be kicked out?"
"That's the thing. I didn't."
"WHAT?!"
Collin grimaced, Vaggie was starting to get his nerves worked up with her dramatic shouts. Charlie seemed apoplectic, the girl was completely lost and clearly concerned by what she has heard so far. Thankfully Loona and Octavia were not too far, yet the Hellhound was seemingly having her own shouting debate with the strange cat Demon stationary at the bar. The guy talked gruffly and was often dismissing the canine with witty remarks of his own. Octavia was busy testing out the flavor of the liquor she has been given, although the disgust on her face once tasting the vile thing made it clear she wasn't a fan of it.
"Collin, I'm thankfully you're here and all, but I hope you understand your story is..." Charlie made empty hand gestures as she tried to find the exact words to describe her skepticism.
"Bullshit." Vagatha completed crudely. "Yet, if Charlie can't sense you're full of it, then I cannot dispute that either, but if what you're saying is true... that means you're a fucking Angel. No! I don't care about your bullshit rank, you're a damn Angel." She said while slamming a fist on the table for further emphasis. Collin frowned at the unnecessary display of violence.
"Alright, let's just calm down. Right?" Charlie quickly suppressed, gently laying a hand on Vagatha's shoulder. She huffed, crossing her arms while looking away. "Sorry, Collin. Angels are... very unpopular around here."
"Yes, I've been told why." Collin replied, feeling his spirits lower. "But I will let you know that I wouldn't ever stand behind such atrocious acts of violence. What they've been doing just isn't right."
Charlie blinked, sharing a surprised look with Vaggie. She glanced back at the wolf with even more confusion.
"Wait... so you don't agree with how overpopulation in Hell has been dealt?" She asked dubiously. "Then why you didn't manifest it to the other Angels?"
Collin felt his face heating up in utter shame, he clasped his hands together over the table, taking a deep breath to calm down his anxiety.
"I know this is going to sound even more... well, I'm not lying, you know this." He said as he focused his attention on the girl with the clown makeup. She nodded slowly, granting him a vote of trust. "I... I didn't know what was happening. I didn't know Heaven... was destroying these souls every year. I... had no idea, until Loona told me." Vaggie shook her head.
"You're right. That is unbelievable." She said, glancing at Charlie, hoping to have the wolf's words proven wrong, but Charlie's silence left Vaggie in utter shock. "How can that be?! Heaven shouldn't be like that! This isn't what we're trying to bust our asses for!"
Vaggie kept on ranting nonstop, but Charlie looked eerily silent. Collin watched her reaction with worry, he wished to be anywhere at this point, but not the bringer of such awful news to someone who clearly believes Heaven to be everything he once thought it was.
"Collin," Suddenly she broke the silence with a rather timid voice. "Is... all of Heaven... wrong?"
The wolf crossed his arms, his attention wavering around as he tried his best to come up with something that wouldn't tear her spirits. Yet, he wasn't sure why he was even being this lenient with someone that was no other than Lucifer's daughter. It was hard to believe Charlie was even remotely related to such a symbolic being of evil. Yet, Collin found himself wondering how much of the very little he was told about Lucifer to be true.
"Not all of it, I'm not into that... sort of system. I don't crave to be better than everyone or be above anyone. I don't think most Heavenborns are like that. Yet, we don't really make the system work the way it should, not that we ever had any say on it. I know there's a lot of good people up there, but I also found out a lot of truths I wasn't aware before. If anything, I think I have a clear idea of what type of person makes into Heaven. Sadly I can say that the majority really won't ever have a chance. Their fates are sealed, maybe it would explain why overpopulation is even an issue. It seems there's a strong upset of balance." The wolf paused, giving Charlie a pondering look. "Say, y-you... you're Lucifer's daughter, right?"
Charlie blinked, surprised to be asked all of sudden, but she nodded regardless with a rather timid nod.
"Huh, I hope you don't wish to kill me, now that you know what I am." Collin said, tensing up a little bit.
"W-What? Kill you? Why would I... oh, right. That whole Fallen abduction thingy. No, I won't do that, I would never! Actually... I may even cast something to protect you from anyone else trying to claim your soul, just to be safe!" She said with enthusiasm. Collin raised an eyebrow.
"Huh, is there a specific way to be claimed? I... think Loona already did that. Not with a spell, of course."
"Oh, silly, it's a Curse, not just a random spell." She corrected him with a short laugh. She was still trying to process what the wolf just told her, suddenly growing extremely concerned that her idea of redemption could be a much bigger shot in the dark than she initially thought. She raised her hand towards the wolf, a crimson circle forming around as a rather dull red light emanated from it. Collin felt his body suddenly become extremely hot, he winced at the burning sensation. He was about to ask her to hurry up when she suddenly gasped, retracting her hand as if she was just zapped by something.
"Charlie?! You okay?!" Vaggie asked immediately, coming to her side to check for any potential wounds. Charlie merely stood there, looking at her own hand in disbelief, there were no wound marks visible, but her hand nerves went dormant and the Curse she was trying to cast was completely shattered.
"Wow... I haven't felt anything like that since..." She paused, a frown on her face as she stared back towards the apprehensive wolf. "Since I started taking lessons from my father."
"Are you okay? I'm not sure what happened, I don't think I have anything shielding me. At least I think not!" Collin quickly said, hoping he hadn't hurt Charlie due something he was oblivious to.
"No worries! I'm fine! Just... surprised, that's all." Charlie quickly replied, giving the wolf a more jovial look in return. "Say, you wanted to know the hotel, right? I know you've already met Razzle and Dazzle."
"Who?" Collin asked with some incredulity, he was almost tempted to ask if she was associated with some kind of circus. Charlie raised an eyebrow.
"My friends? At the hotel's entrance?" She hinted at with confusion.
"Huh? That's not what they told me their names are." This caught Charlie by surprise.
"Wait, they actually told your their... wow, now that's quite something. I wouldn't think they would ever tell someone so casually. I guess you left quite an impression on them." The clown girl said, sounding quite impressed. "Say, who are your friends over there? Is that a Hellhound? Wow! Haven't seen one in a while, they are quite tall when looking this close. I remember Cerberus being huge, but that was a long time ago." She rambled to herself mostly while observing Loona trying to knock out the bartender with an empty glass. "Quite a temper too. Say, I don't recognize the other one."
"Oh, that's Octavia, she's... from an important family, Goetia, I think it was the name."
"Oh, great. Another fucking spawn of Pai's fuckfest." Vaggie muttered under her breath. Collin, despite the grumbling, heard her words clearly. He casted the manager a questioning look before returning his attention to Charlie.
"So, I've been meaning to ask, besides about the hotel, where exactly are we? Ring-level wise of course."
"Where else? Pride ring, where the end is certain the more days go by." The manager replied grumpily. Charlie sighed.
"Hopefully that won't be the case for much longer." She countered with her usual optimism.
"I don't get this overpopulation thing I've been hearing lately. How is that even a thing? Our realms should be expansive enough for whatever number of souls. Of course Heaven doesn't get as much as Hell does, but it is still millions across the centuries." The wolf questioned, suddenly suspicious that something was being covered up again. Vaggie and Charlie exchanged a brief look of concern before the clown returned her attention back to him.
"Look, I don't think I should be telling this to anyone, but of course you know who my family is." She said slowly. Collin nodded with some hesitation. He was trying his best to not think of Charlie as Lucifer's daughter, but it turned out be so easy that he ended up forgetting about that very important detail. "My dad... well, he told me the reasons why Pride ring has this locking thing going on, the reason why Sinners get stuck on the first level and cannot traverse. Suffice to say, we... can't really do much about it. There were attempts before but... it didn't turn out very well. I... I'm trying this hotel, not only because I believe people can do better, even after all-
"Huh? Wait a minute." Collin interrupted, raising his hands while looking at her with skepticism. "What kind of people are we including here?"
"Ermm... I'm not picking based on anything. Everyone deserves a second chance for betterment."
Collin shook his head lightly, his attention shifting from the sheepish smile on the clown's face back to the grumpy manager. Even then, when he saw Vaggie's brief look of worry, it was enough to let him know that even she has her own doubts about what Charlie was aiming to accomplish.
"Can I ask you something?" Collin requested evenly, his voice suddenly carrying an even tone that even Loona, who was trying her best to kill the bartender, picked on as her ears perked towards his direction. She could tell when Collin was about to get upset with something, which was a rather rare occurrence. "What makes you think that everyone deserves to be redeemed?"
Charlie blinked, looking stunned for a moment before replying.
"Huh, because... that's the good thing to do?" She responded, feeling worried there might be some judgement about to be unleashed on her, by someone from Heaven no less.
"The good thing." Collin repeated slowly. He couldn't tell why this was really getting him very nervous, yet tried to maintain his composure despite the increasing heat on his face. "And... what makes you thing... that... someone that raped children deserves that chance? Or that enslaved, tortured and killed? How can someone, no matter from what corner of the deepest parts of Hell, agree that people that... ate their own kind, murdered their own family... I... Charlie, you can't... you can't seriously believe that!" He slammed his hand over the desk, suddenly feeling irate with the absurdity this girl was trying to accomplish, not to mention like a huge hypocrite for judging Vaggie for doing the same minutes early. "Do you even know why Heaven and Hell exist?! You think people that did such atrocities should get a pass and take therapeutic lessons to be allowed in Heaven?! Do you even understand the concept of good and evil and why they simply don't mix?!"
Charlie stood speechless, at her side Vaggie merely resorted to hide herself behind her own hands. The manager couldn't really get angry with Collin for saying something she said to Charlie before, but... this time Charlie was getting a dressing from someone that actually came from Heaven itself, not some random loathsome Sinner. Loona, Octavia and the annoyed bartender were looking at their table with confusion. The Hellhound has never seen Collin so upset, which worried her that he could end up causing them a lot of trouble. She decided to abandon her attempts of getting beverage that did not suck and went to aid her mate in this delicate moment.
"What's going on? I thought I was the one who should have a temper here." Loona joked as she reached the wolf's side, but Collin merely ignored her, his angry frown still aimed at Charlie. The clown girl seemed petrified, unable to come up with a response to his outburst. "Also, I'm evil, yet we are together, aren't we?"
"You're not evil." Collin said so firmly that Loona felt a bit taken aback.
"Heh, how can you be so certain?" She challenged with a frown.
"Because you spared my life."
"Yeah, but because you did the same for me."
"If you were truly evil, you wouldn't have cared. I would be dead."
To that Loona had no idea what to say. Collin suddenly was making them all speechless. She looked down at him rather intensely, she wasn't sure to be upset or laugh at such conviction that he has about her person. Yet, the fact he so strongly believed her to not be evil... Loona wasn't sure why, but it made her feel fuzzy inside.
"Look, what you're telling her is not something she hasn't heard before." Vaggie started with a heavy sigh, looking worn out from merely thinking of that topic. "Yet, she doesn't listen to those extremely important details. She should know that kind of folk never will be redeemed, cause for them there won't ever be forgiveness."
Collin nodded in agreement, glad and somewhat surprised that someone would understand gravity of the wrongdoings of their kind so thoroughly. Charlie clearly wasn't on high spirits at that moment, if her sad expression was anything to go by, which proved to be the undoing of Collin's resolve. No matter how adamant he was about that subject, he would always struggle when dealing with the fact he was the one to be potentially blamed for making someone miserable. He let out a huge sigh as he thought of words to mediate Charlie's sorrow.
"Look, I'm not saying everyone deserves what they get, just that some can't be allowed a chance they can never have after what they've done. I... still think your idea has merits. Although, I think you should filter down the amount of folks you should attempt such... reformation effort. Now, I'm not here to tell you how to run your hotel, that's up to you all. I just think that... if you really want to change their mind about their wrongdoings, you have to start with giving them some peace of mind."
Charlie slowly raised her eyes, looking back at the wolf with worry.
"I'm not sure I get it, what do you mean by that?" She asked slowly.
"Okay, hold up." Loona called out before the wolf could reply. "I know you all have a ton of shit to discuss, but how about we decide this for another time? As much Collin thinks this is important, I do not. We had planned a day off and having some time for ourselves, I did not want to be here and the beer fucking sucks." She paused as the bartender threw a rather nasty insult her way, to which Charlie quickly reprimanded without avail. "So let's share some phone numbers and talk this another time."
"Oh, well. I don't have a phone. Just a sec." Collin said as he brought one of his hands, eyes closing as he focused on building energy for casting a summoning spell. A bright orange light emanated from his hand, before an audible pop was heard and a small device materialized above his hand. He smiled at the success of his casting, slowly studying the device, failing to notice the stunned looks coming from everywhere. "Huh, I think this may be a new model. Huh, I was hoping for Apple instead." He lamented, his fingers unlocking the screen with care. "Oh, right. How do I get a signal here."
He regretted asking almost immediately.
"Well, well, now I sure can help you with that, my dear furry friend."
Collin froze, and he wasn't the only one. He could feel Loona going stiff at his side, suddenly the room felt a lot colder. That voice, that more resemble of radio static, came just from somewhere behind his back, clearly so close that he couldn't understand how they have approached without his enhanced hearing picking it up. Something about that static voice... felt wrong.
"Alastor, don't you have some other Landlords to blow up somewhere?" Vaggie asked him, her voice suddenly even and Collin could tell how uncomfortable she looked as her body tensed up.
"Ohhoho, now wouldn't that be fun? Nah, I don't think so! Besides, I've heard we had guests, not exactly an occasion to miss my dear. So... who do we give the pleasure of visiting this fine establishment?" He asked, a rather exaggerated smile on his face that focused on both Loona and Collin. "Ah, now ain't that an odd pair? Especially considering you two are only alike on appearance! Hahaha, what a curious pair indeed! Not as surprising as seeing that young darling at the bar." He pointed out with his arm towards Octavia. The Owl merely frowned, her attention solely focused on the extravagant Demon standing among them. "Now, I don't think you're servants of young Goetia girl there, what exactly is your purpose here? One does not simply walk in for the likes of it."
Charming, seemingly cheerful and inviting, and very expressive on his way of talking. Every fiber on Collin's body was telling him to run. Yet, he stood his ground, for his mind decided to remind him of what truly mattered at that moment. First, he wasn't going to show fear towards such a manipulative Demon, even though he would be able to sense it. Two, he was not letting Loona and Octavia by themselves with such danger. Three, this Demon clearly was powerful despite his deceptive gentle manners, but Collin was very certain that Charlie, who was sitting right across him, was far more powerful. The daughter of Lucifer certainly was no pushover.
At least he hoped.
"We actually did, for the sake on knowing the hotel, mister...?" Collin asked politely. The Demon raised an eyebrow, Collin couldn't help but also notice how Human looking he appeared to be, except for the strange ears and hair. Of course the red eyes and golden teeth were somewhat to be expected.
"Well, young lad, my name's Alastor, you clearly knew that! But it's always refreshing to meet someone with manners, after all, we sure could use more like you around." He said, throwing a rather smug glance towards Vaggie, who merely narrowed her eyes back at him. "Now, pleasantries aside, what is that you seek in such a noble area? Redemption? Now wouldn't that be something!" He added with an even bigger smile.
"Huh, no. I don't care for redeeming myself for something I've never done." Collin automatically replied to which everyone, but Loona and Alastor, gave him weird looks. "Believe whatever you want. I'm assured about I'm done... well, although I commited a couple sins already."
"Ha! Ain't that a saddening reality? My, my, how unusual for one to admit to such. You quite have the potential for joining this crazy project!" Alastor claimed, glancing towards Charlie with some amusement. She merely rolled her eyes, already used with the Demon's antics regarding his skepticism of her claims about redemption. "Why, how about giving it a try? I'm sure you've been well versed on how the hotel functions."
"Kinda? Huh, not sure we can afford it." Collin replied sheepishly, he was starting to get worried about how to make income in Hell. He was very doubtful that Blitzo would even pay him anything, if Loona's comments about how the Imp often manipulated the salary of his employees for personal gains were factual.
"It's free. As long you don't cause trouble and follow the rules we've set." Vaggie informed him, for once looking less annoyed and more curious about the prospect of trying to reform someone, although she was only interested cause Collin was clearly well behaved and not actually a Sinner. She briefly wondered if Alastor realized with who he was actually talking with.
"Huh, that actually sound-
"Like a waste of time." Loona immediately cut off, looking down at them with a very intense glare. "Collin. Talk. On the hallway, just the two of us." It was clearly an order that broke no argument. The wolf let out an embarrassed smile to the girls before following the Hellhound across the other room. Charlie and Vaggie merely shrugged at what transpired. Alastor watched them leave with an even bigger smile than before, although his eyes were narrowed slightly.
"These Hellhounds are always full of energy. I'm amazed she hasn't reduced him to paste yet." Vaggie commented while Charlie merely snickered. "Speaking of it, have you seen Dust lately?"
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0oo00oo0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0oo0o0o00o0
"Ow, ow, OW! Loona!" Collin protested as she pinched of of his ears without any warning. "What's the matter?"
"'What's the matter' you ask!? Seriously?! Besides me trying to not freak the fuck out!? Did you see who was in that room?! Alastor! As if being near the daughter of Lucifer wasn't scary enough!" She said, looking down at him with indignity. "What the Hell do you think you're doing?! You gotta be fucking joking if you are even considering staying here for more than a few hours!"
"I didn't agree with any proposal yet. Yet, the idea of living on a place rent free should be somewhat appealing, don't you think?" He asked while making imposing gestures with his hands, to which Loona didn't understand. "I mean... wouldn't you like to stay here without Blitzo around? I'm sure it would give you some peace of mind."
"No, Collin. I rather spent the rest of my life with Blitzo across the room than stay more than a day with Alastor in the same fucking building. You have no idea of what he can do, you're damn lucky he hasn't figured out what you truly are, yet. I say we ditch and go do whatever else while we can. We talked enough bullshit with that fever dream, paranoi-
"Loona, please! Charlie ain't really a bad person! I get you don't wanna be here but, please, do not insult her based on her beliefs. I know what she is looking for is far from being ideal or possible, but I won't make less of a person just because she wants to make things better! Or you're saying I'm a fool for trying to help you get better?"
Loona clenched her fists, a snarl on her face that did not intimidate him in the slightest.
"Well, fuck me, I guess! Perhaps I really don't believe this bullshit after all! But... I believe in you." She said, suddenly calming down as she took a deep breath before continuing. "I don't wanna stay here, but I don't you want you to stay either. Let's just get Octavia and go somewhere where I don't feel like some creep is lurking on my back all the time. Sounds good?"
"Yeah, I understand. Even so... you wouldn't mind coming here another time? I would like to visit again, but not without you around." He requested with a rather amusing expression on his face that made the Hellhound struggle to not laugh.
"Urgh, none of that weird puppy face, holy shit, that makes me feel weird!" She demanded, seemingly distressed by the image. Collin merely shrugged as he shifted to a more stoic stance. "Fine, we will figure something out. Let's see if we can get that phone of yours working properly, if that weirdo says he would fix it, then surely he can. Also, Octavia kinda wanted to talk with both of us later on. She looked very worried."
"Any idea what she's worried about?"
"Beats me... but I think I know..."