Alastor was mentally berating himself for kissing her. She had just finished telling her story about how she was raped. Hell! She was trembling while speaking about it! And then the dance happened. He felt himself become extremely affectionate. He felt a warmth blossom in his chest at her smile and ease. And he kissed her! Like a fool! Why had he kissed her to begin with? Because she seemed so calm and serene? Because she was beautiful? Kissing was so against his hatred for contact, and yet HE planted his lips on hers. How soft and supple they were! Satan. He wanted to do it again. To feel her soft lips frame his again.

When Selena walked through the door, he pulled himself from his thoughts. He looked at her. The air about her had calmed and energized considerably. She seemed to have more pep in her step. He chuckled. He was glad that he had managed to calm her and give her something to be exuberant over. Or at least he hoped he had.

Alastor closed the door to his office. She felt light on her feet. Lighter than normal. Was she buzzing from such a small peck? Yes. She was, and she knew it. In the time that she had gotten to know Alastor, that kiss shouldn't have happened; and yet here she was. Giddy. For the first time since Bel, she was actually excited to see how Alastor's courting would go. She wanted him to succeed. She wanted him to choose her. Not as a pawn or toy but as a genuine lover. Boy! She had amounted quite the crush on the Radio Demon! She thought that perhaps he wasn't playing a game with her and was being quite serious about courting her. But she still had her reservations.

Before they could part ways to get on to their assigned tasks for the day, a resounding knock echoed in the lobby. "I've got it!" The two turned to see Niffty sliding down the bannister with grace. Alastor let out a bellow of a laugh. It startled Selena. She ignored the giant next to her and watched Niffty descend the bannister. She hopped off the rail and darted to the door. Upon opening the door, a figure stepped through. She had long strawberry pink hair with a portion of it placed into a ponytail. Her large cyclops eye had an 'x' for its pupil. Her grin covered her face. Her clothes were tattered, but it seemed to be more of a style than a lack of adequate clothing.

"I'm looking for Angie." She stated. "I have a message for him."

"Angie?" Selena asked. They didn't have any residents by that name. Or at least she didn't think they did.

"Yeah. Angel Dust." The blond made it seem like it was obvious. Selena had never thought to call him that.

"Let me go get him." Selena went up the stairs and knocked on Angel Dust's door.

"Not now!" He still seemed upset from earlier.

"Someone's at the door asking for you, Fluffy." The door opened to a teary eyed Angel Dust.

"Someone's at the do' fa' me?" He immediately wiped the tears. "Gotta look presentable!" He pushed up his fluffy tits and combed through his hair simultaneously. He walked down the stairs with Selena in tow. "Cherri! 'Sup, babe?" He wrapped this Cherri in a big ol' four armed hug.

"Where ya been? I thought ya up and died again!" She returned the arachnid's hug.

"Sorry, Cherr. Things 'ave been busy. It's been hard to get away." He seemed excited to see her. Alastor and Selena left to do their own things once realizing everything was okay. "What's up?" He dragged her to the direction of his room.

"Well, Angie, Valentino asked me to give this to you." She pulled out a pick enveloped sealed with a lipstick stained kiss. He ripped it open to find working orders.

Angie

I have humored the hotel escapade for long enough.

You have a job. In two days, you will be needed at Porn Studios for a video session. Be there at 2pm. Or I will send someone to take your second life.

Val

He dropped the envelope. "NO! I don't wanna go back!" He started shaking. Cherri tried her best to comfort him, but he let out a loud wail.

Selena's ears perked to a sudden noise. It sounded like a wail of despair. She went running towards the noise. No patron should be in such despair. She followed the noise to Angel's room. Apparently, Al and Charlie heard the noise too. They stood in front of Angel's room. The look on Charlie's face said she was unsure if she should knock. Alastor seemed more interested in the cause of the sound itself and knocked on the door. This Cherri character opened it and stood aside. "What happened?" Selena and Charlie asked simultaneously. They saw Angel in a fit of tears sitting on the floor in a ball. He was rocking himself back and forth constantly repeating, "I don't wanna go back."

"I came to give him a letter from Val. He broke down like this shortly after he read it." She explained quickly. "I was hoping the letter was a cancellation of the contract between them."

Alastor would not deny. This show fascinated him. Practically filled him with glee. The desperation coming from Angel Dust was tangible. This is precisely what he enjoyed from his victims, but the look on Selena's face, the pure worry she was feeling, almost made him not savor it. His grin curled into a most frightening smile. Just for a moment. He watched as Selena knelt next to Angel. A white glow encased her hand, and she touched Angel's shoulder. He calmed. The once palpable despair fell into anxiety. "There. There. Angel. I am here. May I read the letter?" Angel could only nod as he cradled himself. "He's being summoned by Val in two days or else Val threatens to kill him." Angel started crying again.

"I don't wanna. I don't wanna go!" He shook his head and continued to rock himself. Alastor found this a rather pathetic display.

"What if I went with you? In disguise of course, but I could go with you and watch what happens." Selena offered.

"No! No! He'd hurt you too!" Angel clawed at Selena. Alastor wouldn't lie to himself. He also didn't like the idea. His love amongst his enemies. It sounded like a storm waiting to destroy all in its path.

"Angel. Who kicked Asmodeus's ass? Who already waylaid on Vox and Valentino? I can take care of myself. I'm more worried about you. I can inconspicuously protect you. And it'll allow me to get a better idea of what's going on. She had grabbed a set of his hands and looked him in the eye with a small smile. "I will protect you. I promise."

He sniffed. "I think it's a good idea. Aunty is super strong after all. Besides, we need to maintain a neutral appearance until we can bust you out of your contract." Charlie interjected.

"I'm against this. Say you, Selena, get in. What's to stop you from becoming a victim of his videos? Or worse, what if Valentino decides he likes your disguised form? Nothing can stop him from taking you. Unless you put up a fight now. Just end this before it becomes a worse problem than it is!" Alastor pinched the bridge of his nose. Damn this woman. She was making him feel anxiety of all things. "Or what if he beats you bloody before you can raise a finger? Or if he manages to use that nasty power on you?"

"That's simple. I can make a disguise that's only mildly appealing and lower my presence. I can meld into shadows if I need to. As for his power, I already was able to fight it off so I should be able to do it again.

He sighed. "Just note, I'm against this." Alastor faded into the shadows. How could she walk into this? What if it was a trap? He teleported near the letters of the hotel's sign. He sighed again.

"Well, he's angry." Selena sighed.