Chapter 4:
You'll Never Know If You Don't Know Now
The hotel was quiet. Vaggie and Charlie were out trying to advertise. Niffty had been called for a book club meeting, motivated by the fact they were to be in a large restaurant. This meaning she would see men. Husker was passed out in his room for his afternoon nap and Alastor was… Alastor. In this case, doing so with Aby- who had taken to doing whatever he wanted at the drop of a hat ever since Lucifer came to the hotel. Angel had been sitting in the lobby waiting for the notification on his phone. Checking the screen for what must have been the 200th time in twenty minutes.
30 minutes late. He started to bounce his leg on the footrest of the stool.
Just when he was getting ready to call, he heard a loud knock at the door. Angel looked at it before rushing over to answer it. Upon opening it, he was greeted with a large round ball of pink fur. The red daylight of Hell making her outline all the softer as Angel clicked his tongue. Dropping his shoulders as he tried to relax.
"I told you to text when you were outside", he whined.
"I know, I know. But my phone died", Molly stepped inside giving her twin brother an apologetic face, using her girlish smile to increase its power, holding her brother's pet in her lower set of arms. Angel rolled his eyes halfheartedly.
"Guess I have no choice but to forgive you", he jested. Dramatically moving his head as he stuck his tongue out at her.
Molly increased the size of her smile as if to say, 'Yes you do'. Molly stood just over half a foot under her brother. She was a spider demon with pink fur and heart patterns as well. Her outfit was a long black and pin white striped women's suit jacket with a reddish pink inner lining. Although it had been made with two sets of shoulder pads for both sets of her arms, only the top set had sleeves. The bottom set was covered with a matching pair of horizontal stripped pink and yellow gloves. A short dark pink skirt shaped her waist. Her boots had a cute horizontal striped pattern of the same color scheme as her gloves, stopping at about her midthigh. Her hair parted in the center, falling down a couple inches below her butt. Angel soaked in the image of his sister looking her very best and happy.
If the rehabilitation thing proves true- Will she come with me? He pondered as he took his pig from her.
Angel enjoyed receiving visits from Molly. She always knew how to put him in a good mood. He began to wonder what his life would have been like if they hadn't been born a pair. His mind was on the verge of wondering again as he forced himself to focus on the matter at hand. Not sure if he really wanted the rehab thing to be true or not.
"Thanks for watching him for a couple days", he told her, bringing Fat Nuggets close to his face blowing kisses at him.
"No problem. He did really well, according to the vet." Angel was relieved at the news. Fat Nuggets had been scheduled for a checkup appointment while Angel had been under house arrest via la Aby who had the idea that he get someone else to take him. Looking back on the exact words.
"Just because you're being punished, doesn't mean the pig has to suffer. I'd take him but- well…you know."
Angel shook his head as he snapped out his thoughts. Mentally slapping himself for getting so easily distracted recently. The peace and quiet was nice but he knew all too well it wouldn't last for long.
"I'll make it up to you. But you have to go- now." He used his upper set of hands to push his sister towards the door while his lower ones hugged his beloved pig. Fat Nuggets oinked softly at the pressure that had been applied to his body.
"Oh! Okay, okay. You don't have to be so rough. Angel!"
"Sorry, sorry. Just move fast. Quick before-." Angel had opened the door, cutting his sentence short when he caught sight of what was outside the door.
Alastor and Aby were on the welcome mat laughing together as they were interrupted by the door opening for them. Angel made an embarrassed stink face. The age gap couple looked confused at the siblings. Angel returned the favor to make it seem as though they hadn't just found him trying to sneak her out. Aby, to neither man's surprise, broke the silence first.
"Aww! Wiggles! You're back." She pet and kissed the little pink pig before beaming her best smile at Molly.
"Hi. I'm Aby. I love your hair, it so healthy and long."
Molly nervously patted her hair, "Oh. Thank you. I like the way yours curls though. Mine is so thick I can't really try too many styles."
"Can I touch it?"
"Sure, by all means. Mind if I touch yours?"
"Not at all!"
The two girls stood side by side as they combed their fingers through the other's locks. Examining texture, color, and oil content. Angel and Alastor glanced at the each other, letting the girls' bond as they kept their distance from the topic. Alastor even going as far as to take a couple steps back once inside the front door.
"Wow. It's so soft." Molly acknowledged.
"Yeah but yours is so shiny. Mine always looks dead."
"Not at all. It's just so dark. It's not meant to absorb light the same way."
Angel had been so caught up watching his sister and Aby go through the bizarre ritual, he almost hadn't noticed Alastor hungrily eyeballing Fat Nuggets. When he did catch him, he noticed out the corner of his eyes by the red glowing of the radio demon's eyes. Angel quickly snatched Fat Nuggets away as he gave the verbal command, "Hey back the fuck up Alastor."
Alastor perked up at the aggressive forwardness Angel had shown him. Cocking his head to the side, his smile curling in the mischievous way the Aby knew meant he thought he was being challenged. Or at least his status as an alpha was. It was an opportunity Aby couldn't allow to fly since it would be too perfect an excuse for the ex-host; who hated the hotel's number one prostitute. Either way, she jumped in to save the pig from Alastor by letting him know there was fresh meat in the cellar preserved in salt. Alastor forgot about the rude mistake of Angel's and instead went back and forth with Aby about proper meat storage in Hell. Aby was very convincing at playing dumb, refusing to tell her lover that it was for a certain recipe she wanted to try. As well as the fact the meat she was referring to was fish. Mainly because it would suit her purposes better as well as keep her from ruining her reputation with Angel. The slutty spider adored fish- who know? Alastor didn't take much of a push before he ran in a full sprint to save the meat. Leaving the group to talk amongst themselves. While the coast was clear, Angel put Fat Nuggets down so he could hide from the cannibal who would eat him first chance he got. Though he didn't know it, Aby had sent one of the shadow boys to look after the pig for good measure. Mainly as a result of her own personal paranoia. Some days, she felt she was being watched. Years of training along with horror movies told her to go with her gut.
The new silence gave Aby and Molly the time to continue talking for a bit. Angel was both surprised and happy to see them hit it off right away. The girls gossiped about some hot spots for music in Hell. Which just happened to be similar lists of places the girls would go. The girls then exchanged contact info as Molly asked Aby out for a spa day someday. Aby insisted that they go shopping, even offering Molly a custom-made outfit. This was how Angel found out that at one point in her life, Aby had apprenticed as a seamstress. She claimed to adore Angel's body figure but never dared to make him anything for fear that he wouldn't like it or wear it in a way she didn't designed. Molly giggled as she agreed. Also throwing in that her brother had no tact or modesty that could be used as a model. Both agreed they wanted nothing more than to dress Angel up like a long doll and pose him for a photoshoot. Geeking out over all the ways they would love to see him. Angel was starting to feel that he had become invisible to the passionate ladies. Regardless, Molly gave tight hugs goodbye to both her new friend and her twin before taking her leave. Angel waited for Molly to get in a car she flagged before holding a private conversation with his 'client'. Telling Aby not to let anyone know about his family stopping by.
"Of course, I won't tell. As long as you keep what has gone on between us quiet, I have no reason to tell", Aby clarified. Knowing the statement came off as blackmail.
"Wait. I thought you explained all that to Charlie", Angel gave Aby a somewhat judgmental look as he side-looked her.
"Are you fucking kidding me?! Like Hell! How do you even have a conversation like that? Oh, hey I know you caught me sticking a vibrating dildo up his ass ramming that prostate like Alastor attacks his next meal, but I promise- it wasn't as bad as you saw. Even if he was drugged by his boss- who he keeps running the fuck back to- and made me out to be-." Aby had talked too fast for Angel to fully comprehend what just happened but when Aby called it quits, cutting herself off where she had… Angel felt that.
"Yeah- no. You're right. Forget I brought it up." He let the feeling of disconcertion peek its head out before letting her know something.
"You know I still want to do it that way again right?"
"No drugs!" Aby wacked him on the head with her wallet. Multiple times. Her playful slapstick humor back from the depts of her whatever that was.
Angel clicked his tongue in irritation as a response. Bringing Aby to smile at the pouty behavior of the porn star. Once back inside, Angel noticed Aby had seemed hyper. She had been coped up in the hotel unless Alastor went out with her on a date. Angel realized he had no clue what Aby did for fun. Since he had known her, she had done everything someone else wanted. Sure, she talked about going to dance clubs, or listening to music. But, all of it had been done in moderation or invitation. When she did have a moment to herself, Aby spent most of her time in her room. Angel was curious to know what she did in there. Looking back to the exchange with Molly, he found there was always something to learn about the girl. Things she wasn't going out of her way to hide. Angel felt a bit bad at the thought that he hadn't been a very good friend. Aby had gone all the way to learn as much about him as she could and even tracked him down when he did dumb shit, but he couldn't even be bothered to learn her favorite color. Or her favorite song. Hell, he'd even listen to her ramble about Alastor and how 'great' he was if he knew she wanted to.
"What's on your mind?"
Angel looked up to see Aby looking back at him as he stayed near the front door. Both sets of his arms were behind his back which, for Aby, was the indicator that he was stuck on a thought. Angel shook himself back to some sense of normalcy. Cursing himself once more for a short time. Approaching Aby, he reached for her hands. She placed them in his own. He smiled wide and bright as he lied.
"Not a damn thing. I was just thinking. Let's go somewhere fun. My treat."
She'll forgive me if its entertaining enough. He told himself. Knowing Aby hated being lied to.
*#*
Angel took Aby by the hand as he led her through the club entrance. The music was slow with a heavy bass but catchy. She witnessed the girls dancing on the poles around the club. Others had been seated around some male clients working them for their bills. Aby looked around excitedly as she took in the scene. She always pictured what one of the clubs Angel danced at would be like but didn't fully know what to expect. Aby had wanted to go to an exotic club in Hell. Not knowing if it would be crossing a line, she avoided asking Angel. Partly because she was still learning the layout of Hell and thought all the good places would be on Val's turf. Another reason was because she had filled so much of Angel's calendar as a client, she began to question just how close they had become as friends. Sooner or later, Angel would want to experience a man's touch. No amount of money would ever deplete that. She just feared for his safety. More than anything else, she wanted to make him understand that before he did anything. Aby was watching the lights shift when she sat at the table Angel led her to. It was on the far end of the room, facing the door. Aby could tell it was a more secluded space.
"Feel free to touch me as much as you want. It'll make it better for me." Angel removed his coat.
Aby watched Angel re-laced his high heeled boots. Aby had noticed he was wearing a higher heel than usual but said nothing. Now it made sense. Angel made his way onto the table, reaching for the pole. Aby could see even more of his body in the outfit he sported. A transparent deep pink lingerie dress with matching thong. It cupped his chest fur in a way that almost perfectly lined up with his heart pattern. Angel prepped as the next song begun shortly after he took his position. It was faster than the previous but also had a sick drum introduction. Aby listened closely trying to make out the genre. Keeping her eyes on Angel as he rocked and spun his body to the beat.
He really is talented. She admired his grace.
The limbs on the spider demon bended and folded in such impressive ways. Aby couldn't tell from the distance if it had been a static pole or not. If it was than Aby wanted to know how Angel was doing routine without getting metal burn. She was impressed when she saw him flip himself upside down next. His legs going in every direction as the rest of him hardly moved. Held in place with his grip on the pole. It was done so slow and gracefully, it truly did look like an art. Aby had learned to dance on a pole when it first came out in the states. Her travels had shown her different variations of the acrobatic technique used but it was ultimately the rare sexually enticing form that drew her in. Angel's display didn't help the matter as he made it look so easy. By the end of the song, Angel made his way to the edge of the table. Seating himself in Aby's lap as he continued to dance up until the next song. With the change in rhythm came a change in mood. This one was more fit for a make-out session a guitar being the lead instrument. This is most likely why Angel was rubbing himself against Aby at every layer he could. Bending and moaning as he seemed to enjoy the face she was making as she watched him.
It was here, on the other side of the room, a demon watched from the shadows. Starting at how Angel was giving Aby a very contact dependent lap dance. It wasn't long into his dance he started getting frisky. The demon hissed loudly when Angel's mouth came to suck on Aby's neck. Licking and pecking a spot that made her clutch onto the chair. She crossed her legs when Angel started to push his pelvis down, no doubt rubbing his hard on against her thigh. He brought his head back, his face revealing he was shamelessly turned on, as he told her to bring her thigh up again. At least, that's what the demon could decipher by reading his lips. He read hers next to see her response being her telling him to calm down. She began to push Angel off her, the blush on her face betraying her. Angel got off but kept asking what her problem was, shaking his ass up in the air, leaning into her. Aby said something about not wanting to betray Alastor's claim that she belongs to him. This seemed to make Angel baffled. The rest of the exchange couldn't be made out as the two finished their exchange. It did, however, seem to be a civilized conversation. Like it was no different than asking someone to get a coffee. The girl got up from the chair, the pink demon rubbing her arms with his hands reassuringly. The last thing the demon saw was Angel getting a roll of cash and a string of condoms from the girl before they gave a parting kiss. Angel called out to Aby to be careful. She took off at in fast long strides. Angel stayed where he was. Shouting over the music that he would be home soon. The demon watched as Angel put his coat back on before heading to the bar. Taking his seat, he flagged for his usual in the joint. The demon shifted his focus to Aby as she waved some of the girls' goodbye with a cheery smile. Once she was out the door, he got up to exit to establishment.
*#*
Aby walked down the deserted sidewalk as she snuggled herself in her coat. She hummed a series of some songs she had stuck in her head as he went. Aby kept a close eye on her surroundings, mainly as habit from the human world, making sure to look back behind her often then side to side. Satisfied at being the only one out at this time of night; but still surprised. She figured it had something to do with the recent extermination mixed with the cold weather. Aby was intrigued at how Hell could be so similar to the human world in the smallest ways. Aby took another glance behind her noticing a fog rolling in.
I should pick up the pace and get back sooner. She thought. Not wanting to chance a demon encounter.
Just when she thought she was gonna start getting lucky, Aby feels the presence of someone following her. It was faint, but it was moving in fast. She looked around behind her and at the sides. Taking an upwards view approach for good measure, only to find no one there.
Did I imagine it?
She turned back in the direction of the hotel. Meeting the gleamy, round end of a gun barrel in her face. At the end with the trigger stood a black furred demon with a 40s stylish Italian gentlemen's hat. Peeking under the rim were two large pinkish red eyes with three matching ones around each of them. He had an oversized yellow bowtie that spiked out like the fins of an angel fish coming down to a black suit jacket with multiple arms on each side. Traveling further downward was a pair of matching yellow pants. Aby noted each detail of his body shape. The eyes had been the first clue, the arms the second, but coming to his legs and seeing how they bent awkwardly at the knees before returning in the same direction was all she needed.
A spider demon. Just like A.D. Aby would have thought it strange how she ran into so many of this type of demon in the span of a day. If not for how many of any species she saw. Hell didn't seem to have much variety in terms of body types, but it didn't seem to have enough to make an ethnicity chart either.
"Evening bird."
The man spoke, making her lose her train of thought. It had been a while since anyone called her the slang word 'bird'. His voice had a heavier accent than Angel's and was deeper. He also seemed to speak with more pressure on one side of his mouth. It looked weird to see as the less constrained cheek moved more than the other. This was often a sign in heavy cigar smokers and tobacco chewers. This was also the reason Aby measured the demon at about 5 foot, 4 and a half inches. Aby felt bothered by the height difference since she was standing at 5 foot 8 inches. 11 inches if you counted her heels added height. Which she did.
"Pleasure to make your acquaintance. Allow me to introduce myself, names' Arakniss. Now…", he cocked the pistol in his hand, "…I'm going to kindly request your accompaniment."
Aby said nothing, raising her hands in the air, lining them up with her head. Her captor used another hand to point down an alley, which Aby made her way over to. Arakniss was careful to stay more than a couple feet behind her, taking her appearance as a sign that her physical body had limits. A single arm remaining at his side as he held Aby at gun point. They only walked for a couple blocks before a short black limo pulled up beside them.
"Get in", he ordered. Aby said nothing as she did what she was told.
Something about him seems off-ly familiar. She noted, struggling to put her finger on where she had seen him before. She never forgot a face. She forgot events, she forgot people, and she forgot math equations. But she never forgot a face. Better go along for now to see if I can get more out of it.
Once inside, the black spider demon handed her a blindfold.
"You know what to do." Aby gave him a last glance as her face held no expression. Calmly, she brought her hands up and secured the fabric behind her head.
The drive felt long without her sight. The vehicle moved at a steady pace. Stopping, turning and rolling as if the trip was meant to be a simple cruise on the town. Aby heard the sound of a box opening. The scent of a Cuban cigar met her nostrils followed by something being cut. The strike of a match and the burning Cigar smell weren't far behind that. The smoke didn't bother her too much. She was used to being around smokers and quite frankly, Cigars carried a more appealing scent than most cigarettes. Even so, the burning heat from being in such a cramped space did bother her. Her mouth twitched as she fought to rub an irritation from her nose. Not wanting to move her hands without 'permission'. She figured out her kidnapper was watching her when he spoke.
"Sorry. I should have asked first. I'd lower the window but I'm sure you know why that's a bad idea. We're almost there, just bear with it a tad longer." Aby nodded as she sniffled.
Just as he had claimed, the car began to slow as it pulled up to another stop a couple minutes later. The door on her left opened as her right arm was met with a cold touch of metal. The push gave her the only order she needed as she snaked her legs out of the car, turning slowly to face the opening. She firmly planted her feet onto the ground. The cold, stiff air hitting her legs. The smells around her mixed with the echo of her heels clacking the concrete ground let her know she was in a parking garage; wide, enclosed, and single storied based on the vibrations. She extended her right hand cautiously, stopping when she felt a warm, gloved hand take it. She leaned forward taking it as a sign it was safe for her to start walking. She made it a couple feet before the spider's voice spoke again.
"You can take that thing off now, bird." Aby wasted no time in lifting it off her eyes, mildly messing up her hair in the process.
"Why are we here?" She didn't move beyond removing the blindfold as the push of the gun in her back told her to start walking.
"You don't even know where you are. Are you sure that's the question you wanna start with?" The demon had an amused tone. Aby could tell he was taken aback at how she handled the situation. A group of four men came up to the two of them, taking a type of flanking position. Aby continued walking as she explained herself to Arakniss, not certain how she should go about this.
"You won't tell me where we are because it would defeat the purpose of blinding me. Besides, it's not the where that matters." Arakniss smirked.
"Clever bird", he answered, "The Don has called for you. Says he wants to personally welcome you to your new home." Arakniss maintained his position behind her as they made their way into the mob house.
Inside, were two lines of servants who bowed to greet their master and his new guest home. Aby noted they all looked to be of the same species just with different colors. The females having a single horn protruding from their head while the males had two. The horns had been no larger than an inch, keeping any head pieces the servants wore from becoming distracting. Their fangs, meanwhile, had been long falling over their bottom lips. None of them had said a thing as the group walked past. Aby looked at the grand hall as the ceiling had a chandelier dangling from it. Large oil paintings covered the wooden panels on the walls while the floor was a polished marble.
The first intimidation tactic. Aby decided. A sign of wealth, class and power.
The group continued with the four men from before taking point at the base and head of the large staircase Aby and Arakniss walked up. She stopped when she notice there were three ways to go from here. The two guards at the top of the stairs each blocked the options of either side of Aby. This caused her to take the middle path. After going a couple steps down the new hall, Aby saw a change in interior. The walls were the same, but the floor was wood with large rugs over them. This hall also had tall long tables which held framed photos and vase flowers. It had a much more home-y feel to it. Coming to the end of the hall, Arakniss spoke.
"The door on your right. Open it." Aby saw right away which door he wanted her to open. She didn't need to look back to know that at some point, he had lost the cigar.
Taking it by the crystal handle, she turned the nob. Entering a large newly refurbished room. It was well lit in multiple spots by small lamps that kept the corners of the room dark enough to add a calm atmosphere to the room. If the circumstance were different, Aby would have thought it romantic. Unlike the rest of the house, this room had a lower ceiling. Wall lights had been set all around the room, currently off. The furniture was made up of an expensive, sturdy woof. Aby noted a large king-sized bed with drapes on a frame tied in place by rope, two grand nightstands, a large wardrobe and a low dresser with an oval mirror. There was a loveseat to the side near the door. Aby made her way further into the room, catching another door that led to a personal bathroom. Next to that, in the corner hidden by the wardrobe was a full body mirror. The carpet below her feet covered a dark, hard wood floor. All around, it was an expensive looking set up. It was also beautiful in an 'old money' kind of way. There was also another thing worth noticing; no windows.
Second intimidation tactic: Isolation. Aby concluded. She knew this is what Arakniss wanted. To get her alone. But- why?
Just then, two female servants came into the room. One, who was holding a box, went to the bathroom, turning on the light and came back out emptyhanded. The other had gone to the bed, laying out a black dress and a pair of brand-new flat heeled dress shoes. They bowed to their master, Arakniss, before proceeding out the room without saying a word. Aby looked at the dress on the bed. Eyeballing it curiously.
"It's your size. I triple checked. Now put it on." Aby looked to the bathroom, taking the dress in hand. That's when Arakniss spoke again.
"Here. Where I can keep my eye on you. The bathroom is for makeup. That way, I can confiscate your weapons." He seated himself in the love seat, keeping his presented state the same.
Third intimidation tactic: Make them feel vulnerable. Humiliation preferred.
Aby gave Arakniss a short glance, placing the dress back on the bed. Her current outfit wasn't overly complicated. She did have a corset top on. It laced up in the back, but there were hooks in the front which were used to make it easier to adjust. With it, a short skirt flared over her ass and legs. Under that, a garter belt over her thin silk panties matching with her stockings. Her low top boots came off first. The lower half of the outfit followed. When she got to her corset top, she looked at Arakniss, slipping the straps off her shoulders. Arakniss watched still holding her at gun point. He was calm. He sat relaxed. Collected. Aby looked back to the dress, studying the design. It was solid black with a beaded pattern at the breast line. Shaped in a flower vine style. The dress was a single off shoulder look that would secure around her chest. It would squeeze her body in a form fitting manner down to about high thigh. Here, it would poof out in a long mermaid bottom with a five-inch trail.
Easy to get on. Even easier to slip off. She mused. It was a dirty thought, but she had a libido that could rival Angel's any day. And she liked this dress.
While Aby was admiring the dress, Arakniss was admiring her.
He allowed his eyes to follow the shape of her ass. Stared at the curve of her back, tracing over her torso and to the way her average sized breasts perked past her arms, raising and falling on her chest with her breathing. Arakniss saw a couple tattoos on her. Nothing significant to any rival families he knew of, nor where they easy to spot. He leaned back in the chair. He never would have thought of her as the type to get such a thing on her body. Much less more than one. Yet, somehow it made her more appealing. Showing Arakniss she had a wilder side. An unspoken side. Knowing she hung around Angel Dust, made his gut burn. It didn't help that her skin looked so easy to touch. So soft, young, and delicious. He watched her more intensely than he had been. His eyes burning with every move she made.
Aby paused when she finished undressing, giving a playful twirl to Arakniss with her arms spread out. Her only weapons were a couple of throwing knifes latched onto her right thigh with a blade holster. Arakniss gave a dismissive wave with one of his free hands. He wasn't interested in a couple of blades. Not long after that, Aby slipped the dress on. Just as Arakniss had stated, it was indeed her size. She walked over to him nonchalantly. Lifting her hair, turning so her back faced him. Arakniss sat still, confused.
"Zip me up please." She explained.
Arakniss waited a few seconds. Keeping his gun on her, he reached with his other three hands. Securing both halves of the dress, he used the third to pull the zipper up. The fur of his hand brushed against her back. Arakniss watched as the muscle of her back contrasted, goosebumps glittered her arms, and she was lifting her chin to the ceiling. Arakniss smiled at himself.
Aby took a deep breath, slowly exhaling before saying, "Time for hair and makeup."
Arakniss stood up, placing a hand on the lass's back. Aby looked at the full body mirror. While she had Arakniss this close to her, she made the observation that he was so much shorter than Angel. Her porno slut friend was very tall. So much so, that she could stand at her natural height and wear heels and still fall short of him. She couldn't be certain, but something was nagging at her mind. Something she had already seen.
*#*
Aby walked with Arakniss positioned two steps back and one step to the side of her. The double doors in front of them opened as they approached it. Coming into the large lounge room, the two stood at the far end. Once the guards in the room gave Arakniss their signal, he jammed the gun in her side to let her know to keep going. They walked up the red carpet to the sitting area. There, Aby saw three high back chairs across one long high back couch. In each one of the chairs, sat another spider demon, including…
"Molly?" Aby looked at the pink twin to her favorite escort.
"Aby! Oh, you look so beautiful. I knew you would be. That style-."
"Molly… what are you doing here?" Aby was genuinely confused.
"Oh- well. This…," she gestured to the other demons in the circle, "… is my family."
Aby got a better look at the other two. The male was thick but fat at the same time. A solid body with his hair long and style similarly to Arakniss's. He also wore the same style of clothing complete with a flower on his jacket. A handkerchief in the pocket. A gentleman's hat on his head. And a cigar in his hand fuming a fog of smoke. Next to him, was a female hiding behind a large vail. She was as lovely as Molly. Aby could tell. Wearing a long evening dress with padded shoulders and sleeves that came down to her hands. She was thin but busty in all the most feminine places. She radiated beauty and sophistication. Like the higher-class women, you would see in the old black and white films. Aby felt a twinge of jealousy. Her eye twitched in annoyance. Pulling back into reality, she looked back to Molly. She rushed up off the chair, coming in the give Aby a friendly hug. Aby didn't think about hugging her back. Then she heard the small platoon of guns cock.
"Stand down." Molly used one of her lower hands to wave the guards down, keeping her hold on Aby.
Aby took the embrace for all it offered. Not realizing until this moment, just how badly she had been needing a hug like this. One that she could take from instead of just giving. She had expected a lot of things to happen since coming to the lowest level of Hell. Meeting the rest of Angel's family hadn't been one of them. It might have been easier if he came from one of the small branches that worked the floor of the fam. But, alas, not so much. His father- was the Don. His mother- the Donna. What's worse, they want to make a deal with Aby. When the girls separated, the family offered the royal a seat, which she wisely accepted. The conversation was a simple one. Aby couldn't decide if she found it more offensive or courteous. Her hosts were too caught up in explaining their plan which involved taking down the more powerful demon lords. Rising to power and expanding their territory. Aby had no desire to help anybody or be associated with a genocidal conquest-based power struggle in the name of greed. She accidently made that mistake once…once.
When the Don caught onto Aby's boredom, he brought up the Hazbin Hotel. This got Aby looking him in the eye. Allowing the members of the family to see, firsthand, what fears her demeaner changing could birth. The Don pushed forward excitedly. She was a challenge that he got to work on. Trying to find the leverage he needed to convince Aby to side with him. He spoke of the time limit for Charlie's dream. It was a fact Aby had entirely looked over. The exterminator angels came for purging day once a year. That meant, they had less than a year to rehabilitate enough demons to start the project officially. Even then, it wouldn't necessarily stop them from coming to kill as many demons as they could run their blades through. Aby knew the exterminator's as the AA; for Arch's Army. Her information on them had been limited. What she was aware of, was that they were the perfect soldiers. They were also incapable of being reasoned with. Which for Charlie's stubborn and over positive personality, was all the more troublesome for Aby. Mainly, since she knew she would never leave her in that mess. She would fight. Balls out. All or nothing. And that would stand a problem.
"What happens when a demon dies here anyway?" Aby had interrupted the Don while he was talking.
Molly and Arakniss looked mouths agape at her. The Don took no offense. He stood, taking a gun off his smoking table. He loaded it with a single bullet. After helping Aby to her feet, he snapped his fingers. A rat demon, injured and bleeding, had been dragged to the group. The mob Lt.s were careful to keep him off the carpet. Aby felt the Don place the gun in her hand. She kept her eyes on the rodent. She didn't need to ask who he was or what he had done. The ringing of the bell in the back of her mind told her all she needed to know. She rose the gun, squeezing the trigger. The room rang with the loud, merciless bang of the gunshot. When it dissipated, she felt time stand still. For a full second, nothing happened. Then the Don spoke.
"What are you two morons doing? Get that thing outta here. Fucking Hell." The Lt.s completed their orders no questions or words exchange. Arakniss rushed to take the gun from her, jumping back far enough to keep the distance to keep his advantage. Aby didn't respond. She just sat back down.
Though the means had been unconventional, Aby had gotten her answer. It was the only motivation she needed. Life or death. She would protect everything that mattered to her. No doubt, she would destroy herself in the process. Where she would end up, no one would know. Not even her. If she failed, they wouldn't even remember the names. She would. But all others would cease, crumbling into the void. Charlie or no Charlie, Lucifer or no- It was her burden now. Some part of her still felt the urge to pray. Just like she had before her 'little accident'. But the defiant child in her prevailed as her eyes began to water. The glare in her eyes lit a fire under the Don's ass. He concluded the meeting.
"Lucky you. Either way, we're holding a little get-together tonight. And we would just love to make you our guest of honor. After all, here you are- fresh from the other world- and you haven't been given the proper welcome party. You may take as long as you need to provide an answer. But, at least let us do this much for you. As a gesture of good faith."
Aby's memories blanked. The last thing she recalled was being invited to stay for a dinner party the family was hosting and not wanting to give an answer to the outrageous deal request. Anything after that, fell short of her being able to come back to. Currently, she sat on a chair at a table, drinking a heavy alcoholic beverage in the ballroom. The party was raving around the room. Demons of various shapes and sizes dancing, drinking, and kissing the Don's ass. Aby was unable to locate Molly. Wanting to be with her right now more than anyone else if she had to choose someone from the party. Downing another drink, gagging at the strength of it, refusing to chase it. The tipsy buzz warming her entire body. Arakniss had been seated with her, gun pointed at its only intended target. Seeing the dame wasn't enjoying herself, Arakniss came to his feet. He waited for Aby to look at him before he brought his face closer to hers. Telling her what he had been wanting to tell her for a long time.
"My brother is a fuckin' fool. If I had a dame like you in my grasp, I'd lock you up away from the vulgar eyes of the world. Keeping you far from the undeserving world of such an ecstatic, sublime creature such as yourself." He brought his hand to tickle the skin of her neck, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear. Messing with her hair, shinning his smuggest smile.
"Is that your best line, sweet face", she sarcastically asked him, pushing his hand away.
"Sorry hun. That don't work on me. Try again- I'll let you." The lids of her eyes came down halfway. Arakniss couldn't read her anymore.
Arakniss extended his hand, offering it to Aby. She looked at him doubtfully for a moment. Smirking, she took the hand, letting Arakniss walk her to the dance floor. He gave a signal to the live band on the stage. The music shifted. Aby recognized the music. She felt herself relax, almost forgetting about the gun until in jammed into her side. She cleared her throat, listening to the lyrics.
You'll never know just how much I miss you. You'll never know just how much I care. And if I tried. I still couldn't hide my love for you. You ought to know, for haven't I told you so. A million or more times?
Aby felt the gun again. Sighing heavily, she struck up a conversation.
"Yeah know, Sinatra recorded his version of this song at his first recording session at Columbia as a solo artist."
"Solo artist?"
"He had recorded at Columbia in 1939 as a member of Harry James's band. It had been arranged and conducted by Alec Wilder with the Bobby Tucker Singers providing accompaniment."
"Bobby… Tucker?" Arakniss listened to her as it seemed to be a subject she cared for. Silently hoping she wouldn't expect him to know jack shit about it.
"Bobby Tucker's real name was Robert Nathaniel Tucker. Born January 8th, 1923, died April 12th, 2008, in New Jersey. He was a pianist who doubled as an arranger during the jazz era. You know that awesome thing that lasted from the 1940s into the 60s. Granted- he's most famous for being Billie Holiday's accompanist from 1946 to 1949."
"Do you always talk about other fellas when a guy tries to dance with you?" Arakniss gave her a face that was a mix between confused, annoyed, and amused.
"Only with the ones who ruin it by keeping me at gun point", she shot at him.
"You got a problem with that?" Arakniss reestablished his strict tone as he continued his socialization.
"I do, actually. You keep jabbing me in the side. It's annoying. And it hurts Just put that damn thing away." Aby kept her hands on Arakniss's shoulders, her lips pouting.
"Can't. You'll run if I do", he stated bluntly.
"I hang out with your trigger-happy troublemaker brother for shits and giggles. You honestly think I give a damn about a gun to my head from the likes of you." Arakniss looked Aby square in the eye, making her groan in frustration, breaking the connection first.
"You mob boys are all the same. You get so used to people running or staying for the wrong reasons, you think that you have to hold em all at gun point to keep the nice ones there."
"I thought you weren't that nice?" Arakniss knew Aby would know what he meant.
"I'm not. But down here- I'm a fucking saint."
Arakniss stared at her. Not looking anywhere in the room. He kept her close to him. Waiting for her to take back the words she let spill from her mouth like harsh, painful venom. Waited for the part of her that would let her be more kind to herself. He had been assigned to watch her for a while. He knew things. Some he reported to his father like the good son, who would run the family when his time came. Others he kept to himself for reasons he couldn't justify. How she patted her hair and clothes when Alastor wasn't looking. That she had been going to Imp city to meet with a company there for art supplies from the living world. Or how she spoke with each hotel staff member in their preferred language when they were alone. She was fluent in multiple languages. Loved sweets. And belted songs at the top of her lungs from the roof when she was depressed. Arakniss remembered something else. Something that made him holster his gun with his lower set of arms. When she felt his hands come to rest on her hips, Aby moved closer to him. Placing her head on his shoulder, her arms coming to wrap around him more tenderly. Suddenly, it clicked. At some point, Aby had shortened. Now she stood a couple inches below him. Shaking it to focus more on the matter that stuck out to him most.
"What are you doing", he questioned her with a defensiveness in his voice.
"Relax. This is how dames like me dance with a fella where I'm from." She snuggled her face into his suit, sniffing him to memorize his scent.
"Those who deserve it anyway", she joked with him.
Molly stood in the shadows. Her hands at her chest as she held them there. Angel ran up beside his twin sister as he spoke, "Hey! I came as soon as I got your message. Where is she? Is she a'right?"
Molly had managed to get away from the party pretty early. Using the newfound privacy to text Angel. Letting him know what had happened since this morning. Angel had rushed from the club. Managing to show up from the back entrance to save Aby. Not knowing what to expect or caring. He just knew he had to get there before it was too late.
"There", Molly pointed out in front of her, taking her brother's arm to keep him from making a run for it. "Out on the floor. Don't worry she's fine."
Molly looked to her brother to figure out how to calm him down. Saddened by what she saw. Angel stared, shocked, at the dance floor. A look of heartbreak seeping from his core. Past the crowd, in the center, under the shimmer of lights, was Aby. His older brother had his arms over her as she held onto him back in kind. They swayed to the music. She possessed a small smile, one of her hands petting her dance partner's back. Arakniss whispered something in her ear that made her laugh. The last verse of the music rang clear in Angel's mind. Molly placed her head on his shoulder. Watching the scene with him.
You went away and my heart went with you. I speak your name in my every prayer. If there is some other way to prove that I love you. I swear I don't know how. You'll never know if you don't know now.
Angel watched sadly as Arakniss was held sweetly by Aby. Her embrace on him was firm but soft enough that Arakniss could have pulled away if he wanted to. It was the end of the song. He should have pulled away. When he didn't, Angel started questioning his relationship with Aby. He had thought them to be friends. Best friends even. If she really cared about him… Would she be holding Arakniss like this now?
*#*
Angel grunted as his body hit the ground hard. Spitting up blood from the punch he had taken from one of the guys.
"Angel Dust!" Aby threw her body over the pink porn star, taking out one of her knives.
She looked around the room rapidly, trying to predict where the first assault would come.
The Don strutted into the room, his wife and other two children behind him. He waved the guards to step back. He watched as Aby's eyes started to glow red.
"You got a lot of nerve comin' round here. Thought we agreed when we found you down here, that you wouldn't come back unless you had a death wish." That phrase revealed to Aby that Angel had been disowned. On bad terms with his family no less.
"Guess that's a wish we have no choice but to grant now." The Don snapped his fingers, cueing the men in the room to prep their guns.
Molly gasped, bringing her hands to her face. Pure horror on her face. Arakniss stood hard, like the good son he was. His father didn't seem to care Aby was there in their way. Even if he wanted to move, his body was frozen. Instead, he looked to his sister, who was just as helpless. His father gave the signal. And the room was raining with the flood of bullets. Each member of the gang unloading their magazine. It was here, that the room went dead silent. Even more so when the leaders of the family saw what remained.
The large pile of feathered black wings sat in the spot the two guests. With no warning, they flung up making a strong wind current blow over the room. It had been so strong, everyone had been thrown back into the closest wall behind them. Those that didn't pass out were literally winded from the oxygen being stripped from their bodies. The males of the leaders got back to their feet. Aby remained on the floor, her crimson glow burning deep. She kept Angel closely pressed into her chest, her protective embrace had kept Angel from getting shot. Revealing her wings to protect him. The bullets had impacted the wings, but instead of bouncing off, they had been absorbed. Being taken in to make her defense even stronger. There would be no way to penetrate them. All threats would be devoured by the touch of those pure, pitch black wings. Just as the light is smothered until it is eventually snuffed out.
Angel was the first to snap back. He took Aby's hand, getting her to her feet, and made a run for it. The glow was the first to fade. Aby's wings then retracted back into her body. Truth be told, Aby wasn't looking forward to this conversation later. They made it to down the second hall sprinting full speed as Aby called up to Angel.
"A.D. wait! We need a plan!"
"I got a plan!" He kept pulling her behind him. Making a run for a secret passage. It led to a case of stairs. Aby pieced together that Angel's plan was to make an escape from the roof.
I knew I shouldn't have showed him. She cursed herself.
Throwing the door to the roof open, the duo ran out into the rain. Aby and Angel got as far as the edge of the room before Aby jerked her hand out of his grip. She hunched over, ready to puke. She hadn't been one to enjoy running after a dinner party. It always made her sick. Especially after drinking. They didn't get much time to rest before they got intercepted by Arakniss. The black spider panted aggressively, the guns in his hands pointed at the two. His eyes filled with a sense of purpose. Out to fulfill the mission his father, most likely, put him on. Arakniss's threat to them doubled as calling a challenge to Angel. Who wisely stayed behind Aby when she pushed him there. He used one hand to try to pull her closer, hoping to make a quick escape accompanied by a distraction of some kind.
To Hell with mob etiquette. He thought as he tried to whisper his idea to Aby.
Before he got the chance, Arakniss spoke up. He addressed Aby, making the deal that he will let her help Angel escape. On the condition Aby comes back to him. Angel was about to cuss his older brother out, colored in all the names he knew would hurt his pride most when Aby pulled away from him. Aby walked up to Arakniss, stopping a couple feet in front of him. He kept a gun on her. She stared down the barrel. Reaching up with her mouth, she placed her lips over the tip. Licking it and kissing it in ways that made Angel impressed and Arakniss blush.
Suddenly, she grabbed the gun pulling him forward by his grip on it. When he got close to her, he braced himself expecting to be hit, or taken down. Instead, her arms came to cling around his torso. Taking the chance to hug him tightly. Arakniss had no time to react before she stood on her toes, whispering something in his ear. Now it was Angel's turn to be frozen in place. He watched as his brother activated the safety before he dropped his guns. With his hands now free, Arakniss struggles to hug her back. His arms coming in as if he was going to, only to stop. His fists clenched, alerting Angel to his choice inevitably being not to. Aby hugged him tighter, pulling her face away as she brought a hand up to cup one of his cheeks. She gave him a sincere smile before pulling away from him. Running her hands over the black spider's lower set of arms, not dropping her hands until after the tips of their finger were out of reach from each other. She went back to Angel coming to rest her face in his chest fluff. Arakniss noticed she had returned to her normal height again. Angel brought both sets of arms to entangle themselves around her body. Letting him hold her, she got cozy with her contact against the pink spider. Arakniss felt his body tingle. His vision was gradually becoming blurry and doubled. Looking back over her shoulder at Arakniss. His eye caught the shine of a syringe needle in her hand. She lifted it so it came to eyelevel. Arakniss knew it had been used to drug him. Stumbling over his feet, he began struggling to stand. That's when she spoke. Despite the effects of whatever she dosed him with, her voice wasn't broken or distorted.
He could clearly hear her say, "This way, your father can't hold it against you for letting me go."
Arakniss felt the blackout approaching. He fought as hard as he could to maintain consciousness knowing it would be pointless. Just before he could submit to the drug, he remembered what she had told him literally a moment before. Needing to know what to do with it.
"Maybe one day a nice gal will fall in love with a guy like you. Sorry it can't be me, but there's someone who I can't live without."
*#*
Angel stomped up to the front door of the hotel. Aby wanted to ask what was up but thought it best not to intervene in this case. She was ready to part ways for the night without any exchange when Angel spoke up.
"I can't believe you! What the hell were you thinking going with him?!" He spun around thrashing his arms down at his sides before crossing them.
"Wait- how did I become the bad guy in all this?"
"When you- Oh I don't know- went with my brother!" Angel began angrily tapping his heel against the stone ground.
"Hold the phone. Are- are you seriously angry…," Aby dropped her hands dramatically, "…that I danced with him? Why!?"
"I'm pissed…because you are such a hypocrite." Angel wasn't careful with his wording, instead needing to blow some steam.
"Excuse me!?" It was now Aby's turn to get pissed. There were just some things you didn't call her.
"You get to go slutting it up whenever you want, but because I'm in a program", He used air quotes on the word, "I have to obey some shit rules and do things your way!" Angel was just spouting shit out his mouth now. He really didn't know why he was so angry.
"First off! Sluts are free, whores charge a fee. And I got shit to pay for. You know that better than anybody! Second! Don't try to turn this on me! You're pissed because you think I can only give you any attention when I'm not with Alastor. That just because your homo, and hate your brother, I'm gonna drop everything to keep you sane! I don't know what happened between you two, but I do know whatever it was- it wasn't worth leading up to an overdose!"
Angel screamed out in frustration. Turning on his heel, he tried to leave. However, this didn't stop Aby. Angel had opened a gate and she intended to finish what he started.
"Running away isn't gonna make it go away! Damnit Angel! Why can't you just tell me what's got your panties so twisted! You went all that way! Nearly got yourself killed! Now you can't even tell me why it bothers you I danced with someone!"
Angel made it away from Aby in a huff, going back to his room. Looking back in a glance, seeing she hadn't followed him, before going inside. Fights with Aby were always the worst. She couldn't lie and she couldn't hold back.
Who was she to question the root of the problem?
Angel's chest hurt as he stayed leaning into the door. Fat Nuggets came to greet him at his feet. Angel sat on the floor, picked up his beloved pig, and nuzzled him. He thought about taking a cold shower, going to bed and making up with Aby in the morning. Maybe when he got over being shot at and seeing her wings for the first time, he would feel better. He sighed heavily as he also considered making up with her now. Before it had time to fester, a notification tone went off from his phone. He checked the screen seeing he had received a text from Val. He stared hard at the phone. Re-reading the message over and over. Fat Nuggets gave a series of small snorts as he pushed against Angel's hand.