Catmint

Another day in hell. A simple passive thought as the staff of the Happy Hotel went about there day. A much needed calm after wilds to what remedies as weeks ago. Husk minding the front desk and bar, a tall bottle just inches from his claw hand as he cleaned glasses with a prose look of boredom.

Despite in the low of his shoulders, he was as relaxed and pleased one could be in the dinner realm. Peeking by as residents wandered around, some for drinks or off to whatever their daily plans were. One or two chiming for a drink. It was peaceful.

The buzzing of a radio feedback aimlessly hanging in the air, might as well been a thunderstorm. Made of a reds and blacks, glowed eyes enlighten areas wherever they looked, some landing near an empty seat at the bar, much to Husk's growing disappointment. Meeting in a glance and a quick glass of brandy placed down.

"Husker, being timely fashion this are we now?" Alastor started, adding. "My usual."

"Right-"

"Though, I would say you are far early into your usual hours." Alastor teased, taking a savoring sip of his cooling drink, smacking his lips in a tense to the welcoming warmth.

"That happens when drinking less and getting a good rest." Husk grunted out, staying focus at the task in his hand. Suddenly thinking the shot glass was never going to be polished right. "Or you know... not doing late night murders broadcasts. Who knows what could have cause it."

"How quaint. You enjoy licking that holy's boot, too?"

Husk gave a snort.

"Oh? What's with that look there?"

"Nothing." Husk said, sparing to take a sensible sip from his bottle. Turning his back and fixing up the wall line, rearranging and replacing what was still good and what was near empty.

"Come now, you have my interest."

"Let me just say last week was entertaining. You missed out." Husk say simply, turning around in time to see another familiar face nearing the bar. The cat demon gave a nod in greetings. "Doc."

"Hello Mr. Husk." Hesediel answered, glancing to the deer demon in acknowledgment before taking a seat. "Alastor."

"You look terrible, my boy." Alastor said with a smug sip of his brandy.

"Your eyeside is fading." Hesediel retaliated back bluntly, while taking a chance to clean his glasses when Husk placed a cloth by a coaster held cup of iced water. "Anything I missed from my days off?"

"Nope. Your boyfriend will be happy to see you again." Husk said with a smirk.

"Not my boyfriend. Honestly Mr. Husk, that type of teasing is unbothered of you."

"I thought it was funny."

"Next time you want to have an evening together. I'm calling in sick." Hesediel huffed, taking a healthy glup of his water.

"But you won me big bucks. Come on, a few solid wins like that. You could cure my gambling problem."

"That's not how this works, Mr. Husk." Hesediel said, disappointment clear in his words while waving halfhearted for a refill.

Husk does so, but not without adding a slight back. "What about a chance to be top dog at the board? That's easy money, sure. But it beats reading all day. Live a little, doc."

"I have other hobbies-"

"Don't act like you didn't have fun, doc. It's not like we were banned from the bar. Don't pussy out on me."

"As far as I am concern. I say yes we are... or at least I am. That was very unprofessional. Miss. Charlie was so upset."

"The princess wasn't that bad. Hell, it was just a few days. With you as the golden boy watchdog to this place and that stripper as the poster boy. You two are untouchable as it comes."

"Don't be crude."

"It's the goddamn truth. Deal with it."

Hesediel gave a sigh that was quickly overshadowed by Alastor own and laughtrack record. Having the smiling deer demon sitting cozy with his brandy in hand. Chuckling deeply. "Now I must hear this, Husker!"

"I don't-"

Husk jumps in with a wicked smirk in place, slapping his claw hand on the bat table, very to sign he was taking stage and silencing Hesediel nay say. Starting after cracking a new bottle of beer for himself. Swigged and spoke. "Okay. While you were off doing you freaky snuff radio show. Princess was kind to give us a grace period. Under the eye of someone responsible and boy, did that turn out for the best. So here I'm thinking we hit a bar nearby. You know the place, bastard."

Alastor nodded. "I do believe I do. Go on."

"By the powers. Someone end-"

"Quiet doc. You shit the bed, sleep in it and get over it." Husk called to him, amusement of playfulness was clear. He went on. "So yeah. While virgin boy here is sitting in a corner, like some posh bastard Duke too good for us, while we just do our thing."

"Now I was doing other things. Under Miss. Charlie's-"

"Doc, you're just digging a deeper hole."

"Hardly. This tale is by your words-"

"Anyway! Yeah, you are not getting out this one. But anyway, as I was saying. Shit happens. A game of poker went wrong. And well..." Husk shrugged less in care.

"You ran your mouth."

Husk gave loud chuckle. "Damn right! A bluff to save my hide and money. But damn does this guy know how to play darts. Here, I'm thinking, we're dead. Then this guy starts doing circus tricks with the darts like it was fucking second nature. I couldn't even do that in my sobberest years with cards."

"Darts are different than what I am used to. I didn't want to hurt anyone."

"Fuck that shit. The moment some dude was getting handsy with the hoe and his friend. You nailed the guy's hand to the wall!"

"His sleeve." Hesediel adds quickly, hollow in his delivery and short come when he realized it was a dead end. "There was no blood. Don't expel tales like this for your own jubilation." He takes a moment to card his hair, with a shake of his, last saying. "Honestly."

"Okay. Would you like to tell what happens next, doc?"

Hesediel only responded with silence as he sips his water, eyes looming deeply off away from his sudden audience. Very much taking a great enjoyment out at the new brands in fancy bottles Husk got for the bar. Not even flinching when hearing the other two laugh at his emotionalless displeasure.

"Thought so."

"Leave the wet blanket be. Go on, my dear fellow."

"Right. Anyway, so here we are. Shock. The ever silent mountain man just sets claim on spider boy and one-eye bitch. Like where the fuck did this... guv'nor show up?" Husk said and adding the last bit in mockery tone pounderment.

"How mature of you, Mr. Husk." Hesediel murmured, leaving for the cat demon laughing at the other's dismay.

"Anyway, the doc is setting the guy straight on how others should treat each other. Prechery as hell. But hey, wouldn't be the doc like if he didn't do his daily PSA. Speaking of which, doc, if one of your hobbies is making motivation posters with the princess. Take a break. Get laid. You know someone is willing for your holy cross."

"Excuse me? Do not speak of those like this that can't defend themselves."

Husk shrugged, raised brow towards Alastor. "Case and point."

Alastor jostled in laughs, smacking Hesediel's near shoulder in enlighten on such news. Ushering for to go on Husk.

"The guy ain't having shit. Dust gets huffy that his man, spider's words not mine, was being emasculated. Just gets in his face, ready to start a fight. Then the guy pulls a gun on the spider. Ready to shoot. This motherfucker grabs the gun and ate the bullet."

Alastor looked to the angel, looking at his stance. Disheveled in thought of how it looked in his mind, but nothing implying a bullet wound. Turning back to Husk, wide smile showing clearly he didn't believe the cat demon.

"Bitches, picking on my Hesy are ya?" Angel entered into the hotel, arms filled with bags, and one hand of four kept a smoking joint near his lips. Dress to the nines, likely coming back from a brunch with his friends from work. Given that he wasn't hiding the scattered ruffled fur exposed at just a simple glance. Strutting in confident to sat bags down by the bar and taking a sit. On Hesediel's lap, hanging of like a glitter decoration of white and pink. Much to get a rise out of the other, though aware of the likelihood outcome.

"Mr. Dust, don't add fuel to the fire here." Hesediel said, adjusting himself to keep from Angel to hurt himself from falling off. Along trying not and failing to appear as confidential. "Must you?"

"Suck it up, sweetheart."

"This is highly inappropriate, Mr. Dust."

"Yeah, well. I had a kind of shit day." Angel added, a fleeting effect of heat swarm the words. Unknowingly to the spider demon of the dim look Hesediel returned. "Deal with it."

"Very well. Don't get use to this."

"Make me."

Hesediel kept his hands to himself, much to the other's gauge as planned to get back at the spider demon. Angel made no further comment, just a stale vex sigh. The doctor only saying for Angel to be careful of his usual wears of tie and suspenders. Which, to surpise of others, Angel listened. Somewhat. Not without a few pokes to rile up the man of straw. Which were hardly returned, in the hopes that is one was to not struggle, an easy getaway will appear. Hesediel kept that silent wish to himself, though his rare glances spoke enough of the perturb irk in him.

Though, Angel swiftly let's it go by getting Husk to make him a drink and dimming his smoke when hearing the holy give a quiet cough. Adding. "What's you guys talking about?" Happily enjoying his cooling Envy Cocktail that was placed before him.

"Deer man wanted to hear our little feildtrip. I just getting to the good part."

Angel perks up to what Husk was implying, flirting over his shoulder to the other, stating. "You mean how this handsome likes to take his daily dose of copper and lead? I can confirm. Hot."

"I don't like either of you two right now." The good doctor said, having his drink of now lukewarm water.

Angel pouts that easily was left only as a joke, given the hurt look didn't meet his eyes. Leaning close just a tad, whispering. "Tell me to move if you don't want to be here, Hes."

Hesediel only stared.

"I can wait." Angel gloated, waving to Husk to go on.

"Right. Queer squatting aside."

"I know you want me, kitty. Just say the word." Angel kinked to the cat demon.

Husk choose to carry on with. "Yeah, the good doctor ate the bullet. Just caught it in his teeth. Moving not an inch. And then a sudden crunch. Like the bullet was a gumball. Not any bullet though, I recognized the style anywhere, it was from those winged assholes weapon. And this guy just takes it."

"Bitch nearly pissed himself." Angel added, patting Hesediel's cloest hand resting on the bar table. On whim added. "Told that shortshack shit to kiss his feet, when saying he just took a shot at an actual angel. It was great!" Ending in fits of laughter.

"After that, our outing went as plan." Hesediel tossed in, wanting them not to dwell too long.

"You should see how awkward this guy is on the dance for. But hey, I got a good pool partner." Angel adds in with a teasing grin.

"Dancing is not my thing. Pool is just math and angles." Hesediel said.

Angel and Husk groaned, the latter saying. "How do you make everything so boring. Just how do you do it, you bastard?"

"How does that snark jest go again? It's a talent."

Angel using one of his lower arms and pokes Hesediel's side, adding. "Would be nice if you use it on other things. Like in my-"

"Husker! Please carry on. Before I find the urge to murder someone." Alastor tosses out, face crossed as it could with a smile slowly dipping an inch.

"Like to see you try, Bambi. I'm all for the rough stuff."

Hesediel pulls Angel back more back on his lap, from the mere inches he was from Alastor's face. Choosing discomfort over anything far too unsavory that usual happens between these two. Placing a hand near Angel's hip as a form comfort, short lived, in favoring to lean in his seat and toying with his glass. Calmly saying. "Not needed today you two. Don't fight." Wanting things not to become sour, looks to Husk and said. "Please. Onward with the story."

"Whatever. So yeah, until we were about to leave. Calling it. Only for that son of a bitch to try to get one more upper hand. Taking one of the pool tables and smacking down on the doc. This spider bitch and his friend took that as an invitation for a bar fight. Simply, chaos storm that came after the calm was over. You had to been there."

"I'll say. Aren't you a troublemaker, little dove."

Angel shrugged, saying. "Doesn't take much for us girls to get some action. We would have done it either way."

"If that was to comfort me, Mr. Dust. Not working."

Angel just rolled his eyes, saying. "Damn, you are hard to please. So happy we are not dating. You likely be a bad lay anyway."

"Ignoring all that." Alastor throwed in, quickly wanting to silence any ideas of Angel naked with any of clients. Let alone, it being someone he was able to put a face and name to. Along with saying. "My, what a tale indeed. What after that? Given how causal bar fights tend to be. What happen? The sweet darling was not happy, yes?"

"I think so?" Angel questioned, while Husk gave a one-sided shrug. The spider slipping in. "We got back and princess only spoke with Hes. We were off the hook. I mean, it was like it never happen." While moving to stand when feeling a pat on his thigh, pout on his face that was overshadowed by the coy looks that Hesediel choose to snub.

Angel soon though, busying on finishing his drink. Missing out the confusion by the cat and deer demon. Leaving for Hesediel to be able to stand, checking his watch.

"I think if I leave now. I can water my plants and fix up my office for today. You'll be on time, Mr. Dust?" Hesediel said, slowly pacing away from the small group.

Angel grabbing his bags once his glass was clean, calling out. "Yeah, yeah, I'll be there handsome. I owe ya a visit after playing house with my sister again. She says thanks by the way."

"It's no problem."

Husk struttering together words after the confusion settled. Glancing at the doctor, still nearby, as one of the plants he loved to tend for was a major centerpiece to the hotel's opening entrance. Asking when Hesediel about to leave. "What was he talking about? You were on break, right? Princess so-called punishment."

"I was. Don't worry about it. As it's been a long two weeks for all of us. I'm just pleased we all had a good time. Small hiccups aside. Good day to you, gentlemen."

The holy one was nearing the hallway to his office, only to be stopped by a slight tug at his ankle. Looking down to see it was the familiar shadows of the deer demon's.

"I still don't know how the tale ended or even what the effeminate one said. What happen?"

Hesediel glanced to Alastor, shoulders stiff and eyes downcast enough to not make fair eye contact. Saying with ease. "Like Husk said, you had to been there. A lot happen, honestly. You just got footnotes as it were. Now excuse me, Alastor, I must get my day moving. Take care." And in a turn and dash, Alastor only glared wildly under his conniving smirk.

Once Hesediel felt he was in the clear. Tending to his plants on certain stands throughout the halls. Thinking back to that last bit of the story they never knew. In way, it felt as dips to disappointment and a sense of pleasantness too. Thinking back to his chat with an assured boss that ran the hotel. How she was in worry mother hen mode and kept Hesediel in place at his seat. Not wanting to activate anything unnecessary.

'Okay! I am calm. Very calm! So Hes, please, please, please know I am not mad, upset, or anything like that. But I am sure confuse on what happen. Please explain?'

'Not much to say, Miss. Charlie. I did as you asked but I sadly didn't do well of a job.'

'Hes... no, I am being professional here. So should you, no hiding things from me as your boss. Hesediel, if this happen when you started. I would believe so. You know, that once guilt in thinking my dad was right. But I got to know you. You have been working here for a few years now. You can be honest with me.'

'Is that enough for you?'

'Yes. And from what I can tell and how my mom speaks of you. She trusts you. That's rare and I would be blind to not keep that in mind. She wouldn't have ask for your help if she didn't trust you. So please, Hesediel, tell me the truth this time. Why did you cover for the others like you did and why you won't answer me why you lied about what happen?'

Hesediel left in a stragglerling grip of a sudden tightness. Trying to stay aware and not let his vision ware on him. Calming himself, a few breathes and trying to keep eye contact. Having one last sigh, before saying. 'They were having a good time. Their happiness felt so free. I... didn't want it to end and when I saw them in trouble. A whip of emotions I never wanted them to have hit. It was like an illness. I did what I thought could bring it back...'

'The fights though?'

'An occasional hazard. Given the placement Mr. Dust holds in light of the hotel. Sacrificing little means for one comfort comes to stop. Though, he has tone it down to where it's not too bad. Leave me on edge but I don't feel threaten or in any form of misconduct. So being his or any other's sense of enjoyment makes the job easier. Plus, it has been returned as well from getting to know and work with them. It felt akin to fellowship. Going to that tavern was a mistake, I know. And at the moment and thinking it was going regress. I well...'

'Go on, I'll hear you, Hes.' Charlie moving to stand before him, laying g comfort hands on his shoulders and a warm smile. A feeling like a ember he felt before was there from just hours ago.

'I... knew it would have upset you and things just got worst. And you were. I jumped into something that would tarnish the hotel's image. Good deed in a childish mind covered in senseless violence this realm had come to know. It was stupid in my actions, to even what others know. I didn't want them to lose their chance to have this freedom again. It's not in my nature. I took the blame as it was, yet, they were going to be honest with you. Showing progress in your work. Guilt came and I am sorry.'

'I see what mom meant with you dramtics. How sweet.'

'I guess...'

'Well. As you said, it was nice for what you did but how it was handled wasn't right. I think it's best you take your days off early. Let this die down and we'll go from there.'

'Understood. I'll take my leave now.'

'But Hes...'

'Yes?'

'Thank you for looking out for them. I may not know the whole story but I say, you were and knowing them... they won't say out loud, a good friend. That means a lot. So don't be so down alright?'

'Understood. Take care and I'll be back soon.'

Then while in the middle of packing, heard a knock at his main office door. Rushing to see Angel there, shy smile and a little not as bright.

'Yes?'

'You in any big trouble, handsome?'

'In a way. As you would say, it was very Miss. Charlie of her to do. Full demon or not, she doesn't have a true evil bone in her.'

'Oh? Nice. Then you can help me with something.'

'That's not quite-'

'I need you to watch my sister. Some sleaze is being cheeky with her. I can't because I got a shooting out on the skirts. There is no one else I would know that she would be alright with, why not whose a guy buddy? That would like be one hundred percent no troubles. Plus, Fat Nuggets loves hanging out with his other daddy.'

'Mr. Dust, you see-'

'Please. I'll make it up to you, promise. I'll show up to my appointments early and... hell... what would a cold turkey on smack get me?'

'I-'

'It would mean the world to me. And I know she would be happy to see you after so long. I mean, she thinks we fucked and I scared you off or something. So I'm in the doghouse already. Please, Hes.'

'The drama theater is not needed, Mr. Dust. I was going to ask when I should show up?'

'Really?'

'Would it make you happy?'

Angel lean in heavily, his dragsona coming full swing. Breathlessly saying. 'You have no idea, babe.'

Hesediel leans away, answering. 'Right, understood and ignoring your tease.'

'Prude.'

'Thought that was something you liked about me?' Hesediel dryly questioned, though the word placement was as a snark.

Angel just returned to his reply with a smile. 'Don't let that get your head, big guy.'

'Of course not.'