Clover didn't do much for the first day, spending much of it laying around her new bedroom and hanging up the clothes she'd been so thoughtfully given. Niffty flitted in and out of her room, bringing her old clothes and insisting on taking her towel from the day before in exchange for clean ones. Clover didn't argue, she really didn't think she could argue with the woman. She liked the small, chipper woman, and definitely didn't want to get on her bad side.
It was early in the morning a day later when she finally got around to doing something, after being up again for half the night. She'd debated going down to the lobby again to see if Husk or Alastor would entertain her, but after the tumultuous time they had together she wasn't sure if either of them would enjoy her company. Instead, she dressed in her new clothes. A dark pleated skirt with tights and a turtleneck was a little more chic than she had dressed in life, but if there was ever a time to reinvent herself, it was probably now.
Besides, Charlie was loaded.
The red sweater was tugged over it as a last minute decision; she was becoming oddly attached to it, and it never hurt to have an extra layer. Her old boots slid back onto her feet before she stepped back out into the city, keeping her wits about her as she headed back down the vaguely familiar streets. It was the daytime hours at least, and when she began idly people-watching, she found herself feeling a little more comfortable in her new "home."
Street musicians dotted the corners the closer she got to her destination, and aside from the normal sex-workers and peddlers that you'd find on any big city street, most people seemed content to go about their own day. When the familiar bell of the coffee shop chimed, no-one bothered her with loud announcements of welcome that she'd become accustomed to in the bible belt, just Cyrus standing behind the bar with a smug smile.
"Well, look who it is."
"Didn't expect me back?"
"I didn't expect much."
"Ouch"
"What can I do for you? I can't expect you've already gotten cash unless you're a little more free-wheeling than you seem."
"About that-"
Cyrus raised an eyebrow, forked tongue flickering out across his lips. The pause felt longer than it really lasted, but it ground against her nerves anyway. She was going out on a limb, but her options were limited, and her confidence was being cultivated.
"I wanted to ask about a job."
"What makes you think I need you?"
"Nothing, I'm just taking a chance because you didn't seem like an asshole last time I spoke to you.'
He laughed, tossing the towel he'd been idly wiping the counter with over his shoulder before nodding his head towards the end of the bar before moving that way himself. The swinging door that separated the machinery from the public. An apron was tossed in her direction unceremoniously, and she put it on without asking any questions.
"So, you're lucky I've got a bleeding heart and I like you. Plus, having a cute little demon like you might do well for business, especially in this part of town. Here's your try out; Make me three different kinds of whatever the hell you want, with whatever you want."
"With whatever?"
"Yeah, are you listen'n sweetheart? Impress me."
Clover couldn't help but roll her eyes, turning to the familiar machines with the small amount of confidence that came from this being territory she had experience in. Her first attempt was a simple spiced latte, her poor excuse for latte art decorating the top of the mug as she slid it towards Cyrus. Her second was an iced beverage, a cool mix of vanilla and mint to complement the heaviness of the cream she stirred into the cooling espresso. Lastly, she spied the tap of cold brew that sat near the sink, and it was quickly mixed with the darkest of the few chocolates that sat beside the shinings espresso machine and just the smallest sprinkle of ginger that she assumed was reserved for the hot teas that Cyrus kept stocked in neat racks along rear wall. She made sure to leave the workspace as clean as she had found it before she slid turned to her new maybe-boss for her critique.
"You just aged yourself sweetheart, nothing screams 21st century like an extensively creative iced coffee."
"If you wanted me to just make an americano, you could have just said that."
"No, it's good, knowing your basics and being able to make shit up like that is good. We get all types."
She watched as he tried each of them, disposing of his straw after sipping from the two plastic iced cups and sipping the spiced latte slowly. Scaly skin broke into a slow smile as he shook his head, sighing reluctantly as he looked at her.
"Alright kid, you got the gig. It wouldn't hurt to have someone to cover when I don't wanna be here. Come back tomorrow at noon, and you can keep that apron."
"Really?"
"Yeah, really. Pay's not fantastic but you'll get to keep your tips too."
"Thank you! Thank you so much, I- Thank you."
Cyrus only shook his head, muttering something about 'going soft' before he motioned her out from behind the bar and slid the two iced drinks she'd made towards her.
"I'm assumin' that you've gotten a room at that hotel, so you might as well take 'em back something. Now get outta here, afternoon rush is comin' soon."
She didn't ask questions, quickly taking plastic lids from the holder on the customer side of the bar to make her drinks travel-ready and grabbing two straws before heading out. The vanilla and mint concoction became hers on the way home, and she could barely keep herself from skipping at the prospects of making a place in this hell. The hotel was quiet when she entered, Husker sleeping across the concierge desk and Niffty idly dusting the stairwell. The other coffee made its way into the fridge, topped with a scrawled note of 'Free to a good stomach, I hope you enjoy!' and it's respected straw.
When she returned to the lobby, Husker was awake and blinking blearily as Niffty dusted him right out from behind the desk and into a nearby couch. He regarded Clover with a wave and, much to his obvious annoyance, she took it as an opening to engage.
"Hey, sorry about intruding the other night."
"S' a free hotel kid, you can do whatever you want. You weren't intrudin' on anything, Al just likes to bother me on the rare occasion he's got nothing else to do."
"Sounds like a wonderful friendship."
"Somethin' like that, luckily the asshole is tied up with his own business most of the time."
"Is that why it's so quiet in here?"
Husker chuckled, kicking his feet up onto the couch and running a clawed hand over his face.
"Everyone comes and goes, kid. Al's got a place of his own, the bastard just enjoys bothering us."
"Interesting."
"Hey! Husky! What'cha got for me tuh drink?"
The sudden loud addition to the quiet lobby made her jump, ears twitching to attention as she turned to the presumed guest that was stumbling through the front door. Tossing a neon pink jacket and bag over the coat rack by the front door was a demon that towered above all of them, long legs decorated with thigh high black boots thoroughly accentuating that fact. Two sets of arms dusted off a head of flouncy white fur that faded down into the rest of his body, as dual toned eyes lazily scanned the lobby. Clover couldn't help but stare at the demon, finding them incredibly familiar almost instantly. It didn't take long for her to run back through her memories of the past few days to come to the conclusion of this white, spidery mystery.
"Oh hey, I know you."
The demon looked at her, brow raising in utter confusion as they swayed their way across the room before throwing themselves down at the bar. Husker sighed heavily before he returned to his station, ducking underneath the counter top for a moment before returning with a bottle. His grin was as apparent in his voice as it was on his person, sharp teeth peering out from the amused smile.
"Be careful sayin' that sweetheart, knowin' this one could only mean a couple of things."
"Are you gonna pour me a drink or insult me, wise ass?"
"Sounds like I'm doin' both."
Clover was hesitant to join this duo, which in retrospect was ridiculous when she so easily sat next to the "Radio Demon" in the early hours of the morning and involved herself with his games. Instead she kept to the edge of the bar, sipping her coffee before continuing on.
"No, I- Uh, I ran into you, literally, outside a club or something?"
"Yeah, you're gonna have to be a little more specific toots, I run into a lot of people."
"You told me you were going to charge me for staring at you, and I probably looked like a wreck."
The spider demon turned to look at her after downing the glass Husker had poured them, squinting at the nervous bunny as she busied herself with stirring her nearly-gone drink with her straw. A pink gloved hand met their cheek as they slumped into it, pursing their lips between squished cheeks. Suddenly, they sat up straighter, pointing long fingers in her direction with a smile.
"Oh yeah! You were that gal that looked like she'd seen a ghost or sumthin', I almost missed my call for my first dance that night cause I was on a smoke break. I rememba' you."
Accusing fingers turned into an open palm, the demon suddenly more lively than before as a flirtatious grin appeared.
"Name's Angel Dust, pleasure's all yours, well, for a price that is, double for the gals."
Clover took it, feeling herself catching their contagious smile and shaking their hand quickly before returning to her fiddling. She had more questions to ask.
"So, you staying here too?"
"Yeah, gettin' paid for it too! I'm the star of this little show toots, don'tchu forget it."
"Noted, I'm not interested in taking your spotlight, I promise."
"You a guest now?"
"I guess, I was kind of just new in town and needed a place to stay."
"Ah, I remembuh' those days. You're doin' better than most of us did."
The demon took the next glass from Husker with a bright smile, swirling the martini thoughtfully before taking down half of it in one sip. Another glass was placed on the counter beside him, empty, and Clover shook her head at the invitation. Maybe later.
"It's nice to meet you, Angel Dust. I hope I'll get to talk to you more, later."
"I'll be around, don't you worry about it."
With that she made her way back up the staircase, ignoring the not-so-quiet whispers that started up from down stairs when she'd reached the landing. Today she was going to have a good day, she's gotten a job, she had coffee, and now she was using that high to cure her curiosity of the hotel. The place seemed like an off miss-match of oddities, and she was sure that somewhere there must be a room dedicated for entertaining. A library, a radio, a television, something must be sitting behind these doors that could be used to spark the joy that came from her interests.