Chapter 13: Rooms and Relationships

The game room was alive with activity as Charlie and Vagatha once again sat playing video games. Nifty sat on a nearby chair watching as the action unfolded on the screen. She didn't really get video games but liked to watch anyway. Eventually Tafford walks by and notices the three. Poking his head in the doorway he inquires.

"Morning miss Vagatha, Charlie, Nifty. Hey what are you doing?"

"Beating Charlie at video games."

"Oh wow! An actual game console! It's been ages since I saw one of these."

He said as he entered the room. It had been so long since he saw video games, so he couldn't stop himself from coming in to take a closer look.

"Really, how long has it been?"

Inquired Nifty.

"God it had to have been some time during the war. So that's, seven, eight years, at least."

"Well would you like to join us?"

Asked Charlie. Although their recent argument was still fresh in her mind, she was eager to leave it in the past and move on. Tafford may have been a conspiracy theorist, but he was still a damn good maintenance man. And besides, it's not like his beliefs were actually hurting anyone.

"I haven't had a chance to play in, christ, it must have been before the war even started."

"Then it looks like your lucky day. Come on, jump on the couch."

"What, no! No. I can't, it's not even noon. I need to get back to work."

At this point Vagatha chimed in with

"Ugh, really?! You said it yourself, there's no work to do. It's only been a few days since we opened and I doubt anything's broken in the meantime. Nifty back me up on this."

"It's true. I've been having trouble occupying my time for the past few days. That's actually why I made that canteen holder for you."

"Well… Eh, what the hell."

He said as he sat down and is handed a controller. As the game unfolds and time goes on ancient muscle memories re-assert themselves as memories from times long since buried come to the fore. Minutes turn to hours as Tafford demonstrates a measure of his old skill. And unlike Charlie, he manages to beat Vagatha in at least half the games he plays her in. More when they tried out embers of war. But inevitably the group tires of the games and logs off to decide what else to do with their day.

"Well that was fun, but what do we do now? I know I've been making another quilt, anyone want to try a square?"

"Nifty, you're alright, but I doubt I will ever be bored enough to try quilting."

"Yeah, gotta agree with him on this one. Sorry Nifty, but we just have two different ideas of what's entertaining."

Offered Nifty, to be immediately shot down by Tafford and Vagatha both.

"We could go for coffee at that little place down the street. Get some fresh air, and stretch our legs."

Suggested Charlie

"Are you just saying that because you want a frappachino?"

Playfully replied Vagatha.

"Mayybeeeeee, but does that make it a bad idea?"

"No. And a walk might be nice."

"Yeah, it's good to get out once and a while!"

Piped Nifty.

"Ah, I think I'll stay here. Not that I don't like a bit of exercise every now and again, I just don't like coffee."

"It's your choice."

"O.K."

"See you later Mr. Tafford."

Replied Vagatha, Nifty, and Charlie in turn.

…

"Hey"

Spoke Tafford just as the three women were about to leave

"Thanks for letting me play. It's been so long I almost forgot what it felt like. And just sitting down to play, I think it helped me reconnect with a little piece of myself. So, thanks again."

A grin appeared on the princess's face, accompanied by one from her pint sized companion, the ghost of a smile even haunting the moth's face.

"Anytime Mr. Tafford."

Replied Vagatha simply before they turned again to prepare themselves. As the three women returned to their rooms Tafford went down to the lobby and took up a position at the bar, the indifferent Husk standing beside. Soon enough the three women walked out from the staff rooms and bid the men goodbye as they set out.

"So, aside from those guys who came in before the grand opening, has anyone come by to check out the hotel?"

Asked Tafford as he turned to face his co-worker.

"Nope."

"Oh. So, how have you been spending all the downtime?"

"Booze, enjoying the peace and quiet, and calling in the odd bet at the track. Hey, since we're both asking questions, why do you have a chainsaw? Out on the frontier I kinda get, but why bring it with you to a city like this?"

"Oh, you saw that?"

"Yeah, caught a glimpse when you were bringing' it in, and heard more about it from Vaggie's bitching."

"That's actually not a bad story. I got it not long after I died and was still setting up my camp."

Six Years Earlier

Tafford walked into the hardware store with cash and a mission. At this point in his damnation his little encampment was starting to get not so little, and so he needed better tools than what he had to help continue the expansion. As the man walked to the isle he pulled out his list and began to run calculations on the most urgently needed tools vs. how much cash he had on hand. Just as he was going over the selection he herd a scuffle at the entrance, followed shortly thereafter by-

"Freeze! This is a robbery!"

Damn, more drifters. And of course they decided to rob the exact hardware store store Tafford was in, exactly when he was in it! It was the only hardware store in town but that was beside the point!

"Alright everyone, we're gonna come around nice and easy, wallets in hand! We don't wa-

*BOOM!*

Three shotgun barrels lit up the entrance and turned the lead demon into a fine paste.

"Kill that motherfucker!"

*BANG-BANG!* *BANG-BANG!*

However, Tafford underestimated the others ability to recover, and was mid reload as the three others opened fire. Retreating deeper into the store, the thieves followed, eager to spill the blood of the man who killed their leader.

*BOOM!*

To immediately run into his follow up shot, shredding the torso and face of another of their number. Before Tafford could begin to reload again, one of the bandits rushed him and grappled for his gun.

*Crack!*

Went the hit that sent the thief reeling backward, Tafford's pouch belt in hand. Damn it! All of the would-be antihero's ammo was in that pouch! Thinking quickly he fell back even deeper into the store. He still had his shotgun, but without shells it would do him little good. And since the ammo section was cut off, the man would have to make do with whatever was around him. He had to think fast, it would be seconds before the thieves caught up with him.

Noticing he was in the power tools section, he went a little further and, bingo! There before him was a collection of saws of every shape and size. There, right in the center rack was exactly what he needed. He knew he would probably have to scuttle off to the back to find some gas fo- wait, what?! They kept these things fueled?!

"He's back here!"

Tafford didn't have time to ponder the staff's idiocy as he gripped the handle and pulled the chord for all he was worth.

"Got you, you piece of SHIT!-

*BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!*

As the criminal thought he had his victim right where he wanted him, he was proven dead wrong as he ran right into the oscillating teeth of a chainsaw. A few feet behind him was the last remaining thief, who understandably lost his nerve.

"I changed my mind."

The regretful bandit said as he ran for his life, heart in his mouth. He almost made it to the entrance before the metal teeth found his right shoulder.

*BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!*

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH-"

The poor man screamed the loudest he had ever screamed in his life, as the teeth of the bade slowly pulled through his shoulder and into his chest. He would have screamed longer, but alas, his lungs were turned to slurry with the rest of his body contents.

Seconds later the deed was done, and Tafford looked around to see if he had got them all. When it was apparent that he had, he took a moment to examine his impromptu weapon. It had torn through those jackasses pretty quickly, and it was balanced pretty good. The bade had certainly held it's edge nicely. And despite the amount of gore that had just run through it the tool didn't appear to be at risk of clogging or jamming. Who made this thing?

All things considered the saw had performed quite admirably. In that moment Tafford made a snap decision. So, after retrieving his pouches, Tafford went up to the front counter and placed the saw down.

"I'll take it."

Present Day

"Heh, heh, heh! I guess that's as good a reason as any."

Chuckled the winged cat, amused. A comfortable silence took hold for a minute or two as the men enjoyed the quiet and stillness of the building. It was Husk who rekindled the conversation, but his tone was more serious now.

"Hey, don't suppose you seen' Angel around lately, have you?"

"No, haven't seen hair nor legs of the man since the grand opening. I know he works long hours but it's starting to get concerning."

"Yeah, not saying I miss him cause' he always bugs the hell out of me, but still. After hardly seeing him for weeks you have to wonder what he's got himself into."

Elsewhere

The trio of women exited the small coffee shop each with their preferred drink in hand. They begin making their way back to their hotel at a leisurely pace. In no hurry, they make small talk and try to take in what sights they could while they were out.

As the three walked down another block Charlie glanced into a nearby alley and saw two bums sitting on the ground. One looked to be a gazelle with an exceptionally long neck and the other appeared to be a down-and-out lion. Noticing the look in her eyes Vagatha tried to tell her friend that these two likely didn't want to be bothered. That if they wanted redemption they would come to the hotel on their own. But her unending wellspring of compassion compelled her forward, handing her frappe off to the moth before she approached.

"Excuse me sirs, if I could have just a moment of your time! My name is Charlie and I'd-"

"No!"

"But wait, you haven't even-"

"Everybody with half a brain knows who you are your highness, and all about that dumbass little hostel you run. I know we don't look like much, cause we aren't, but I'd rather be a bum sittin' in a gutter than a laughing stock."

"Ditto!"

Interrupted the lion.

"But if you'd just take a minute to learn about all the amenities-"

"Don't care."

"But you can't like living on the street!"

"I'd rather bum around these streets until the end of time than be seen holding hands singing kumbiya or whatever. That shit's for sissy ass wimps! Come on Clyde, let's get out of here."

Despite Charlie's word of protest, the two vagrants got up and left without considering her offer even once. This saddened the princess who walked back over to her companions and took back her drink. Nifty and Vagatha went to console her but surprisingly it was largely unnecessary. Charlie had gotten used to both rejection and the tragedy of the daily lives of hell's residents. She wouldn't force them to accept help if they didn't want it.

So, picking her hopes off the ground once again, she put on a brave face and continued her day. But this was hell and so not once, but twice more on the way back to the hotel she found some of her people in need and tried her damnedest to offer them the way out. Twice more her hopes were dashed in a similar manner.

Now having this happen once would definitely have put a damper on Charlie's mood, but thrice in the same walk was enough to murder any joy she felt that day. By the time they arrived back at the hotel Charlie is despondent, plopping down on a couch and taking a big drink from her frappachino. As soon as he saw the state of his boss Husk asks the group what's wrong. Vagatha attempts to console her friend while Nifty goes to tell Husk what happened.

"Hey, it's their loss. If they don't want to hear you out then-"

"Oh save your pity Vaggie!"

The grey woman is surprised. It's not like she's never seen her friend snap before, but rarely if ever was it directed at her.

"I'm sorry, I'm just, so tired. Tired of the rejection, tired of all the excuses, I just want some results for a change! Is that really too much to ask? For just a few out of the countless billions down here to want to better themselves?"

Charlie ranted on the verge of tears. Vagatha put her arms around her in a sympathetic hug, which Charlie reciprocated. The moth begins to think of ways she could cheer her up, she was already three quarters in to her frappachino so that was out. She thought a drive around the city might do some good, but there wasn't anything going on that interested them. A movie marathon would be a strong contender, but something about that idea wasn't quite there.

Out of everything they could do today, what would be enough to bring Charlie out of her funk. Then, like a bolt of lightning, it hit her.

"Hey, you say your tired, then what better way to feel better than taking a nap in your own penthouse suite?"

"Vaggie, no! Those spots have to be saved for high profile guests who have high standards. You know this."

"No Charlie! If that shit lord with antlers can take one of the premium suites for himself, then you deserve one too! You work way harder than almost everyone here, him included. And you own the hotel, who is anyone else to gainsay you staying wherever you want?"

"Well, maybe."

"Maybe nothing. And if you need any more convincing, I don't think we need to worry about any prominent guests for awhile. We're going to have to rehab at least a few schmucks before we need to worry about any of the major players coming in."

"Well... O.K. Let's do it."

Said the princess with a trace of resolution in her voice.

"But only the smallest suite, the one in the turret. I want the rest saved for important guests."

So with that the trio of women moved to pack up Charlie's room. Husk remained where he was, marginally because he was the front desk man, but mostly because he was just lazy. Some time later the first set of boxes were packed and up in the turret and the three are coming down for the next load.

"Oh hey Mr. Tafford, there you are."

"Ma'am. What's going on?"

"Were packing up Charlie's room and moving her into the turret. Join us."

"Alright."

Greeted Nifty while Vagatha gave the explanation. With that instant acceptance the group gained a member. From here Tafford was able to listen in on the conversation, which turned out to be about Nifty.

"So Nifty, you were telling us where you worked before Alastor brought you to the hotel."

"Oh, right. Well he was this really successful business man who lived in elysium city, which should tell you just how successful he was right there. He owned that chain of 'Pay n' Go' convenience stores you see on every street corner."

"Wait, wait, wait. Your old boss was the tycoon that owned P&G?!"

Cut in Tafford finding that hard to believe. A sentiment shared by his two other compatriots.

"Yeah, I mean a business man's gotta have staff to take care of his house, his garden, his cars, oh yeah his cars! Mr. Cooper just adored cars! You know he had cars from every era. From the really old school model T's, to luxury cars that were made just that year. He had a whole building dedicated to storing his collection."

"Sounds like he was kind of obsessed."

Added Vagatha

"Well, maybe a little. But who doesn't have their obsessions right? Sometimes when he was feeling generous Mr. Cooper would take some of the staff for rides around the city. I'll always remember those rides, the sparkling clean buildings, the lush green parks, all those strapping young MEN all around the city! It was amazing!"

"Wow Nifty, this boss of yours sounds great. I almost feel guilty Al pulled you away from that to work here."

Said Charlie. Unbeknownst to her, it was the princess's turn to say the exact wrong thing.

"Oh, well that's O.K. It's been a while since I had that job. I got fired after Mr. Cooper was exterminated."

Nifty didn't wait for the question to be asked, continuing with,

"It happened just last year. I don't really know the details but apparently he had to run a really important errand just before the extermination and just lost track of time. It was a real shame too. I'm not saying he was the best boss in the world, I mean he did throw things occasionally and he could be a real task master when he wanted, but he was far from the worst boss in perdition."

A moment of silence came upon the group before Nifty unexpectedly cut back in with,

"You know a lot of us on staff thought that his trophy wife may have had something to do with it. Yeah, she turned into a raging bitch after he died. I mean, she was always kind of a bitch, but when Mr. Cooper was around it was a lot more subdued.

Went on a giant spending spree with her friends right after we got word he was killed too. If that's not suspicious I don't know what is. But anyway, after that anyone who didn't quit was fired and replaced within a month. So yeah, that's how that happened."

…

"I almost don't want to ask but, what did you do after?"

"I never really found steady work. I did a lot of odd jobs and want ads for a cleaner, but nothing really stuck until Al summoned me to help out here."

Asked Vagatha as the small housekeeper finished her story.

"My ears are burning! Now who said my name."

"Al! Your back from your walk."

"Indeed Nifty. My whatever is going on here?"

"We're helping Charlie move into the suite in the turret."

"Oh, capital idea! I'm not busy at the moment, I do believe I will join you."

"O.K. Grab a box and we can take up the next load."

"Oh, no miss Nifty, I do believe you mistake my meaning. I'm not tagging along to help, merely to witness this fine display of bonding."

"Ugh why! If your not going to help then we don't need you shit lord!"

"Why miss Vagatha if you don't want me along, you are more than welcome to try and stop me."

Alastor dared as his voice lowered and became more menacing.

"Nope, no, not stopping anything! Let's just get this load up to the V.I.P. floor."

Interjected Charlie, keeping the peace. With some surprise, the elevator was just large enough for the entire group. Upon reaching the top and setting the boxes down, another conversation took shape.

"So miss Charlie, you and miss Vagatha have clearly known each other for a while, how did you two meet?"

Asked Nifty

"Oh, well that's actually an interesting story. We actually met at a concert while Vaggie was working the venue."

"Ugh, I hated that job. Only reason I stayed is because I couldn't find anything better."

"Hey, it wasn't that bad right? If it weren't for that job I might not have met you."

"Yeah, I'll give you that."

"So anyway, I went to seven circles stadium to see, huh you know I actually can't remember who was playing that night. Can you Vaggie?"

"Eh, not really. I know there wasn't as much foot traffic as normal so whoever it was must not have been very popular."

"Well, in any case, I was walking to the stands to take my seat when I saw Vaggie trying to lift up this big bag of trash into a dumpster. She was giving it all she had but she just couldn't make it over the lip."

"I remember that. Some idiots started a fight and I was part of the cleanup crew they sent after the jackasses were all run off or dead."

"Yeah so I just walked on over and gave her a hand."

"First and last time I got help at that job."

"We got to talking after that and I guess we sort of lost track of time. Before we knew it the opening act had already finished it's set."

"I felt so guilty! Charlie was going to miss the main event and all because I didn't know when to shut my mouth!"

"Don't feel bad, it all worked out. Vaggie took me by the hand and led me through the staff areas, before I knew it we were at the main seating area. And before she left we exchanged phone numbers and, the rest is history."

"Heh, heh, heh, heh- heh, heh, heh, heh."

Chuckled the radio demon softly.

"What are you laughing about?"

Inquired Vagatha. She was always suspicious of Alastor, but that suspicion doubled when he chuckled like that.

"Oh, it's nothing really it's just good to know a friendship like yours still exists in hell."

"And what do you mean by that?"

"Well, shortly after my fall when everything had finally settled down, I had a group of close acquaintances with whom I shared a similar bond. Nowadays the only one I keep in touch with from those days is Rosie, but it's nice to know such camaraderie still exists within perdition."

Silence overtook the group then as no one really knew how to respond to that. So instead they focused on getting the bevy of boxes to the suite and going back for the next load. It was while they were toting the third and final load that Charlie noticed that one of their number had hardly spoken at all.

"Are you alright Mr. Tafford? You've barley said anything since we started."

"I'm fine ma'am. Just don't have much to say."

"Don't be shy, join the conversation."

"Again, I really don't have anything to say ma'am. I don't have anything to talk about that you would be interested in."

"Oh. Well if you really don't want to I won't force you."

…

Although he knew in most circumstances his boss wouldn't make him do anything he didn't want to, Tafford picked up on the dismay she tried to hide. Despite the issues he had endured in his time here, she had been good to him. To all her staff. And the man was finding, more and more, he didn't like to see her sad.

"*Sigh* Well, miss Nifty tagged along on some of my repairs these past few weeks."

"Oh yeah, I remember that. I learned some things about wiring and plumbing, and a lot about why the design for the hotel is really, really, stupid."

"Wait, you don't like the hotel Mr. Tafford?"

"It's not that. It's just that when I first layed eyes on this building I could instantly tell that the architect was on crack throughout his entire process. It's not your fault that hell's builders can't make a decent high rise to save their lives."

"Well it can be a challenge getting around this place, I'll give you that. I actually got lost a few times when I was taking my first look around the place."

"See! That is exactly what I've been dealing with! Don't get me started on all the Jerry-rigging and duct tape I've had to work with when getting this place back into decent shape!"

The aggravated maintenance man griped before calming himself and stating,

"Mr. Husk has been very accommodating too. He's helped me get acquainted with the workings of pentagram city."

While Tafford had been working at the hotel for some weeks it was easy to forget that he was still relatively new to pentagram city as a whole.

"Really, like what?"

"General outlay of the various districts, local warlords, not the least of which being our very own radio demon, number and locations of the city's casinos and bars, that sort of thing."

Hearing that brought a smile to Charlie's face, she was happy to see her employees getting along. After the armored man had concluded his thought the group finished bringing in the third load, and went back to see if there was anything left.

Looking around and seeing just how empty the room had become it seemed their job was done.

"Thank you all for helping me into my new room. I couldn't have done it without you."

'"Yeah. Nifty, Tafford, thanks for helping out."

Thanked Charlie and Vagatha in turn

"Aw, no kudos for me?"

Whined Alastor with a fake pout.

"I might've thanked you if you had actually chipped in."

It was at this point that Nifty discovered one last box that had yet to be moved.

"Oops, spoke too soon. Looks like we missed one."

"Allow me."

Offered Tafford.

"Not to worry my good man, I'll get that."

Alastor said and with a snap of his fingers he poofed the box up to Charlie's new room.

"Wha- Eh- YOU COULD HAVE DONE THAT THE WHOLE TIME!?"

Vagatha shouted

"And miss out on all that wholesome bonding? Oh no, no, no, I think not my dear Vagatha."

As yet another argument broke out between the two Tafford glanced at the closet and noticed something they had all missed in the move. As quietly as he could, Tafford plucked the item from it's place around a forgotten hanger and deftly draped it over Alastor's small antlers. Shortly thereafter,

"Hmph. Well, I'll not stay here to suffer your slings and arrows any longer. I believe I'll go socialize with our barkeep. Good day miss Vagatha."

And with that he turned and walked out the door, giving the three women an eye full of the pink neon boa hanging from Alastor's head. A chorus of laughter was barley stifled as the smiling deer walked away in blissful ignorance. Tafford looked out the door, cocked his thumb in the deer's direction and oh-so innocently asked,

"You think he'll like his new hat?"

And that was the statement that sent the trio over the edge. The hallway and lobby both were filled with uproarious laughter as the maintenance man just stood by, with the biggest shit eating grin he had since his fall.