Chapter 7: Stage Play

Another few days and so have gone by since Crystal learned how to use her new ability with making threads from her hands and use them for battle. When she explains to Angel and the others what happened, Angel is impressed that Crystal has a new power up her sleeve. Charlie and Vaggie are too worried about Crystal almost getting hurt by the Snake demon and his minions. Still, Crystal lets them know she is okay and is able to find a new way to defend herself without actually killing them. However, Angel says that she should have, much to the girls' dismay.

One day, Charlie has everyone gather in an old conference room for an important meeting Everyone is sitting down at a large rectangular circle table. Alastor, Niffty, and Husk sitting on one side while Crystal, Angel Dust, and Vaggie sit on the other. Charlie is standing in front of white with a silver stand that has sharpies, erasers, and magnets on it.

"So toots, what's the reason for having us all here? I have better things to do than sit here all day," Angel asks.

"I'm sure it's important. Otherwise, we wouldn't be here," Crystal says.

"She's right you know," Vaggie says.

Angel leans back with one pair of arms putting his hands behind his back, while the other crosses on the stomach. He then places his legs on the table.

"Eh, as long it is not for anything boring, lame, stupid," Angel says.

"Come on Angel, I'm sure it's not anything bad," Crystal says.

Charlie clears her throat and catches everyone's attention.

Then Charlie says, "Alright everyone, we're to discuss how we can attract more demons to the hotel to try out the Rehabilitation protect. It's already two weeks since the uh, interview, and no one has come over, so I thought we can put our heads together on how we can have more demons come to the hotel and try to see if they can be redeemed."

"So does anyone have any ideas?" Charlie asks with a smile.

Angel raises his hand, "We could have a club here. You know, we can serve food, drinks and alcohol, and dance. I can do my pole dancing and any moves."

"We're not doing a Strip Club! The point of this project is to discourage sin!" Vaggie angrily protested.

"But we can do a NightClub. There will be food, drinks, and maybe a few games, and maybe we can have a stage where people are free to perform. As long there aren't any Pole Dancing, drugs, Alcohol, and any inappropriate stuff or anything illegal," Crystal says.

"Well, we could put that on the idea board," Charlie says, and writes it down.

"Oh, so you decided to go with Crystal's idea instead of mine," Angel says, sounding annoyed.

"At least her idea isn't involved with you dancing inappropriately," Vaggie sternly says.

"I am offended, I don't always dance like that," Angel says.

Then mutters, "Much."

Niffty then raises her hands, "Maybe we can do a club, but a Fashion Club, Cooking Club, Knitting Club, and other fun stuff."

"That could be fun," Charlie says, and writes down Niffty's ideas.

Vaggie then says, "We could do some kind of Health session: One involve with stress, therapy, group gathers, and stuff like that."

"That works too," Charlie says, writing it down.

Crystal then turns to Alastor, "So do you have any ideas?"

"Well, Charlie isn't going to take mine," Angel says.

"No one wants to have a stripclub here, Angel. This is supposed to be a place that discourages Sin, not some kind of strip club like the one you go in for your work," Angel angrily says.

"Hey, I don't always go there because of work," Angel says, annoyed.

"You both need to calm down," Crystal says.

"Don't worry Vaggie, we're not going to do that idea," Charlie reassures.

Then asks, "So Alastor? Husk? Do you have suggestions?"

"I'm fine with whatever, as long as it's not fuckin's stupid," Husk says, and begins to drink his beverage.

Crystal rolls her eyes, "Guess that's not going to be any help."

"Well, I think Crystal's idea to have a stage could help living things up," Alastor says.

Angel says, "Have to admit, I actually like that idea. And we can all put on whatever show we want. Maybe Crystal can do a show with those threads of hers."

"I don't know about that, but I can sing and dance on the stage. Besides, I'm still learning how to properly use them," Crystal says.

"You kidding, Cherri told me that you totally showed Sir Edgelord and his annoying eggs who's boss," Angel says and laughs.

Then scratches his head as he says,, "But still… I'm surprised he actually survived after Smiles' wrath a few weeks ago."

"So did I, but that also means he's going to be a problem if he comes back here," Crystal says.

"I can always blast their heads off," Angel says.

"Or just have Alastor get rid of them like last time," Husk replies.

"That's true. He could be a problem, but I do like to do it without violence. Although, with Sir Petious reputation…" Charlie says, uneasy.

"I think as long as it's for self defense, I think we can let this slide," Crystal says.

"I have to agree with Crystal, even though I don't like the idea," Vaggie says.

"Don't worry, it's understandable. Besides, it will be best if we keep him and his minions out of the hotel," Charlie says.

"Now we're talking," Angel says.

Then Crystal asks, "I was thinking that maybe we can also make a poster. You know, to advertise the hotel and such. We can also see if we can find more people to help."

"I like it," Charlie says.

Niffty happily says, "I call making the poster."

"I can do it too," Crystal says.

"Well then, it looks like we're going to have a lot of fun and it looks like we're also going to have a show too," Charlie says.

Sometime later, Crystal and Niffty are working on the poster they want to make for the hotel. Crystal is drawing with her notebook while Niffty is looking with glee and making some suggestions.

"I think it will be good to make this red," Niffty says with glee.

"And it will be a good idea to add Charlie picture too, since this is her hotel," Crystal says.

Angel walks over and asks, "So how are you ladies doing?"

"We're doing good," Crystal says.

Angel looks at the drawing to see that it has the Hotel's name, and part of the Hotel is visual. It's not colored in, but the drawing looks good.

"Hey, that's actually kind of good," Angel says.

"Thanks," Crystal says.

Crystal then turns her head, "So Charlie, have any idea where to put the stage at?"

Charlie and Vaggie look around to see where they can put the stage at.

"We decided to have the stage in the dining room. You know, so we can have something like a dinner show," Charlie says.

"Sounds interesting. Still, where do you think we should put it?" Crystal asks.

"Well, I was thinking on the other side of the room, but not close to the kitchen. That way, it won't be in anyone's way and that people can walk inside to see the show," Vaggie says.

"I agree," Crystal says.

"I think it sounds like a great idea," Charlie says.

Suddenly, they hear a snap and then some kind of magic flash. When the group turn their heads, they see a stage with red curtains, and the stage is wide forward.

Angel says, confused, "What the fuck?"

"Where did that come from?" Crystal asks.

"I'll give you one guess," Vaggie firmly says.

The group turns their heads to see Alastor walking to them with his microphone.

Alastor asks with a grin, "So what do you think?"

"I have to admit, I'm actually impressed," Crystal says.

"This is amazing," Charlie says with glee.

"It's okay," Vaggie says, rolling her eyes.

"You sure know how to set things up, Smiles," Angel says.

"Well then, now that the stage is set up, who is going to try it out first," Charlie asks with glee.

"Do we have anything that can play music. You know, like loud speakers, a microphone, and stuff like that," Crystal says.

"I got some in my room, I think they'll do," Angel says.

Then turns to Crystal, "And I think you should go first. You said that you can sing and dance. How about you dance or maybe sing a song?"

"Are you sure? I mean. I do have a phone now that I can connect to the speakers, but the music I like to listen to is different from what you guys are used to," Crystal says.

"Come on Crystal, you should try it. It might be fun," Charlie says.

"I second that," Angel says with a smirk on his face.

Vaggie simply glares at Angel.

And Angel notices, "What? Why are you glaring at me?"

"Calm down Vaggie. I… I guess I could give it a try," Crystal says.

"Sounds good, let me get the stuff and let you put on a performance," Angel says.

A little time later, Angel and the others bring out the loud speakers, microphones and cords from his room and connect them on the wall and the stage. Soon, Silver Crystal is on the stage as everyone watches her. Angel also has one of those headsets with the microphone on it.

Crystal says in her thoughts, "Me and my big mouth."

Crystal is nervous that everyone is staring at her and waiting for her to perform. Crystal takes a deep breath and puts on the music from her phone and connects it to a plug. Then it begins to play the song, and soon as the song plays, Crystal begins to sing and dance to the music:

Silver Crystal:

Heartbeat Heartbeat

Heartbeat Heartbeat

Heartbreak Heartbreak

Heartbreak Heartbreak

Heartbeat Heartbeat

It keeps on pounding

Heartbreak Heartbreak

You tell me goodbye

As Crystal dances, she feels less nervous as she dances to the beat.

Silver Crystal:

Heartbeat Heartbeat

Heartbeat Heartbeat

Heartbreak Heartbreak

Heartbreak Heartbreak

Heartbeat Heartbeat

It keeps on pounding

Heartbreak Heartbreak

You tell me goodbye

Then Crystal begins to dance across the stage.

Silver Crystal:

Tell me why you did it

Every dream falling apart

Tell me why you did it

After the promise

Still aching Still aching

Oh baby I need your love

Looking so different

Glaring street light

Charlie and the others soon become interested in Crystal's performance. To some, they don't hear this type of music.

Silver Crystal:

Heartbeat Heartbeat

It keeps on pounding

Heartbreak Heartbreak

You tell me goodbye

Heartbeat Heartbeat

It keeps on pounding

Heartbreak Heartbreak

You tell me goodbye

Crystal continues to dance and sing to the music with grace. The music is kind of slow, but also has a beat to it.

Silver Crystal:

Heartbeat Heartbeat

It keeps on pounding

Heartbreak Heartbreak

You tell me goodbye

You've started a new life

Who is holding your hand now?

You've started a new life

Moving far north

They're singing

They're singing

One that we used to hear

A million times in our morning bed

Raining day & night

Oh let all drain out

Raining day & night

I need your love

Heartbeat Heartbeat

It keeps on pounding

Heartbreak Heartbreak

You tell me goodbye

Crystal continues to dance to the music as it continues to give her the beat and rhythm. She continues to slowly move her body to the music as the music comes to a stop. When she's done, she has her back facing the audience and turns her head to them. Then she turns forward and takes a bow and everyone claps their hands for a good performance. Husk is the only one who isn't, due to drinking his beverage, but simply taps his hand on the table.

Crystal hops off the stage and walks to the others.

Charlie happily says, "You were great Crystal."

"Thanks," Crystal says, blushing.

"Gotta admit, you are a pretty good dancer," Angel says.

"Thanks. I do admit, I get that because I always had to be flexible when I uh, you know," Crystal says.

"You mean back when you were an assassin?" Vaggie asks.

"Part of it. My dad told me that I need to be good in all kinds of fields, such as cooking, dancing, acrobatics, archery, singing, and other things I can name. I had to train hard when I got out of the hospital," Crystal says.

"Sounds cool. Guess that kind of makes you a Jake of All Trades," Angel says.

"I suppose," Crystal says.

"So a lot of stuff you are good at are something you have to do when you work on assassination?" Vaggie asks.

"Part of it, but many of the talents I perfected… I do it out of love. I love to sing, dance, cook, and perform acrobatic. When I was at the hospital, I couldn't do any of it," Crystal says.

"I guess once you got better you were able to do the things you couldn't be able to when you were little," Charlie says.

"Yeah. And you know. If you want, you and I can hang out sometime," Angel says as he wraps his arm around Crystal's shoulder.

"No you will not!" Vaggie angrily says.

"What? I'm not going to take her anywhere bad. Just because I have a reputation, doesn't mean I can't hang out with friends," Angel says.

"If you mean miss bomb thrower, right," Vaggie mutters.

"I heard that," Angel angrily says.

Crystal says, "It's okay. But still, I like to hang out with you and Cherri again. Just hope we don't get ourselves into trouble again."

"It's Hell, there's always going to be trouble. Of course, you get to have some fun while running into trouble," Niffty happily says.

"I can't tell if I should be fine or worried," Crystal says.

"You can say that again," Vaggie says.

Crystal then turns to Angel Dust and her cheeks begin to flush a little. When Angel turns to her, Crystal turns her head away to hide the blushing expression on her face. She then shows a calm smile on her face. She is actually pleased everyone likes her performance, especially Angel. She doesn't know it, but feels that her dead heart is beating like crazy, like it's going to burst out of her chest… and it seems to be because of Angel Dust.

Song: Heartbeat, Heartbreak

Dance Movement from Persona 4: Dancing All Night (JP) - Heartbeat, Heartbreak (Video & Let's Dance) - watch?v=qzJv6O40yUM&t=341s

Time: 3:43 - 6:51