As Selena arrived at the hotel in a flash, squabbling was heard inside. Selena walked in to find Alastor bonking Angel and Niffty on the noggin. "Quit stealing from the kitchen! You aren't the only hungry ones!" Selena stealthily shut the door and repressed a giggle. Alastor's fatherly reprimands, a sight to behold given his Overlord status. As she stepped closer to the scene, her presence was noticed. Everyone turned to her.

"What's up, guys?" Selena gave a lackadaisical wave.

"When did ya leave, toots?" Angel asked. He then turned to Al. "I almost got beaten up today! I say I deserve a snack!"

"You didn't get beaten up!" Alastor countered, threatening to hit him with a wooden spoon again. "I take it that the phone call you received is why you left."

"Yeah. Had to meet up with a friend." She wandered over to the bar. "Husker, may I have a double gin with a splash of tonic."

"Wow, toots, drinkin' already? It's barely three in the afternoon. Actually, a drink sounds great!" Angel dashed from his punishment to the bar, signaling Husk for a drink. "So I've been thinking, and I was wonderin' how ya got Val's goons to leave so easily. They rarely listen to anyone. And they wouldn't leave just due to a display of strength. They just would keep coming back. Not bolt." Husk slid the drinks at both of them.

"Ah, I was hoping you hadn't noticed." Selena turned and noticed that everyone had gathered 'round. "Womanly wiles?" Selena played with her stirrer.

"Auntie, why don't you come clean to the rest of them. I think they'll keep your secret." Charlie hesitated." Or you could give a contractual curse if that makes you feel safer."

"Whatcha goin' on about, Charls? Contractual curse?" Angel seemed so utterly confused.

Selena sighed, "If I tell you, I would have to cause a contractual curse, one where I give you the information, but force your silence."

"Can't any Overlord, Prince, King, or even Lucifer undo those? I mean if it's a big deal what good would that do?" Angel asked.

"That's just it. They can only undo it if the power of the demon causing the curse is less than theirs. Meaning that that number is much smaller than you think." Charlie explained. Selena merely grunted in affirmation.

This was probably the most silent Alastor had ever been. Or so everyone thought. Alastor was mulling over this information. He knew part of her secret but did he know all of it? She seemed to be just as secretive as he was. Just what was this woman capable of?

"The fuck?" Angel just seemed to be in a world of confusion now.

"I'll just give them minimal details, Charlie. There's a spell called compulsion that people like me naturally possess. It allows me to push my will onto others. Essentially, earlier I wanted them to leave and pushed the idea into their minds. They couldn't disobey." Selena sipped her gin and tonic solemnly. She knew that if she stayed much longer, her secret could be revealed. She would endanger them just because of what she could do. Perhaps, leaving now until Charlie reaches a decision is the best idea. No, she couldn't do that. She shook the thoughts away. "Eventually, you'll learn more about me, but for now, let's leave it at this. If Charlie ultimately decides that she doesn't want my help, the less you know, the better." She downed the last of her drink. "Al, would you like help today?" It was a sudden steer from the current conversation, but she wanted to give no more explanations.

Alastor was used to whiplashing conversations but unaccustomed to having them turned on him. "Of course, dear. I was attempting to get started when these little kitchen thieves intervened." They headed off into the kitchen.