A Little Hazbin Ch. 05
When Charlie first woke up, Vaggie was the first thing she saw. Her girlfriend is usually the first thing she sees. But there's a little extra now in the form of a small girl bundled between them.
Vaggie's eye flutters open. "Morning," she smiles.
Charlie returns it and replies, "Morning, Vaggie."
The Fallen Angel's brows then furrowed. "Why… is the bed wet?"
That's when the Hotel Owner notices the same thing herself. "I'm not sure."
The couple starts patting their bed down.
"Oh?" Charlie lets out as she finds that a majority of the soaked area is around their daughter.
.oOo.
"Sorry, Mama," Celest says as she finds herself in the bath getting a wash from the grey woman. "I don't know why I did it. It just happened. I didn't mean to ruin yours and Mom's bed. And Mom's old nightie."
"It's okay," Vaggie tells her. "It was an accident. We'll just have the sheets cleaned and I'm sure there's another mattress somewhere in this Hotel we could borrow. As for the nightie? We can get those washed to. Besides, we were going to get you some clothes today. No harm done."
The door is then slammed open by Charlie. "I got it!" she waves a book titled Parenting for Demonic (BLANK) Idiots with the one part blacked out by a marker. "This is perfectly normal. Not all kids can control their bladder while asleep," she turns to the little girl. "You'll grow out of this, Celest. We'll just have to find some temporary solution until then," she then starts turning pages while mumbling, "There's a lot more that I've never thought about here. Allergies, playground incidents, vaccines…" she trails off as she leaves the bathroom.
Vaggie finds herself slouching. "That's going to be a problem later."
"Mama," Celest looks up. "Should I be worried about Mom?"
The former Exorcist sighs. "I always worry about her. But things always turn out well in the end… usually," that last part was mumbled.
.oOo.
Charlie wasn't paying any attention as she works her way to the Hotel Entrance. She didn't notice Nifty crawling between her legs while dusting, she never said hello to Angel Dust, nor did she wave at one of the passing Eggs.
"Oof!" the woman lets out as she bumps into something and finds herself on the floor.
"I thought for sure you'd walk around, Charlie dear."
Looking up, the Princess finds Alastor looking down at her as he reaches a hand towards her.
"Sorry, Alastor," Charlie reaches for the offered hand. "I guess I was way into the book." But the hand stopped shortly before her as it grabbed the book instead.
"I'll say. An interesting read?" the Sinner Demon reads the title and then spots the author. "Well, now! I do believe I was acquainted with this guy!"
"Really?" the blond pushes herself up. "That's grea—"
"I am most certain he was among my first victims back in the day," Alastor tells her while offering the book back.
"Not… so great." Charlie gives an awkward smile while taking the book back.
"Why are you reading that vile thing anyway?"
"I'm a new parent and I realized that I'm going to need all I can get," she starts walking away while continuing reading. "Not that you care. I have to worry about bullies to? Oh, man. This is going to much tougher than I thought."
As the Radio Demon watches his employer vanish down the hall, he starts plotting.
.oOo.
Vaggie has just arrived at the front entrance with Celest who's wearing her recently cleaned red dress, patiently waiting for her girlfriend.
"Come on, Charlie," she starts tapping her feet. "We were supposed to leave fifteen minutes ago."
"Hey, Vaggie," Charlie finally shows up with her purse. "I've been thinking, what if we just don't go out today?"
Hearing this, Vaggie pinches the bridge of her nose. "That book has gotten into your head, hasn't it? Look, Charlie. This is Hell. I'm not really thrilled to take our daughter out there on her second day of existing. But I feel more comfortable bringing her along with one of us rather than leaving her here. That way we'd know for sure that she's safe."
"Then how about this? One of us stays here with Celest while the other goes to do the shopping."
"For one, it's not just our shopping. It's our turn to get everyone else's shopping done as well. That's a lot for one person."
"Ugh!" Charlie falls to her knees. "I just don't want to expose our daughter to any of the bad stuff around here yet."
"That's why I split the list."
The blonde looks up at the grey woman to see she's holding two separate papers. "Huh?"
"This one is of stuff you'd find in the safer parts of the town which is mostly stuff for our daughter," Vaggie passes one of them to Charlie while holding onto the other piece. "This one is the not so safe parts. Take Celest with you," she then gestures to the child. "You know this place far better than I do and will have an easier time maneuvering around the parts where we wouldn't want her to be in."
Charlie stands back up and hugs her girlfriend. "Thanks, Vaggie. You're the best." she then kisses her. "Come on, Celest," she grabs the child by the hand. "Let's enjoy your first day out of the Hotel."
Vaggie smiles at the departing mother and daughter before she double checks her list. "Huh?" she looks it up and down and even turns it. "Am I missing something?"
.oOo.
Charlie with Celest in hand is walking down the street carrying several bags. The Princess of Hell made sure that none of the stores they passed were non-child friendly. Going as far as taking detours when necessary.
"So," the child is looking at an item in the bag she's carrying. "I have to wear these diapers?"
"They're training pants, Sweetie, and only for now," the woman goes over her list. "Let's see, we got some new bed sheets for your own room, a few decorations, some toys, clothes, that's important as you only have the one set. Now all we need is…" she stops as she spots something on the list that she knows that's not written in either hers nor Vaggie's handwriting. "Alastor's order from Rosie!?" she turns around dragging the little girl with her. "Alastor!"
"Woah!"
"I can't take you there! That's in Cannibal Town! I'll just send Vaggie," she then does a one-eighty.
"Woah!"
"But Cannibal town is on the opposite side of where she is. I can't make her go the extra mile when it's not necessary. I'm sure it'll be fine if it's the only a short time."
"Woah!"
"What am I saying? They're cannibals! That is no place for a child. Except for cannibal children but that's a whole different thing all together. Alastor will just have to do without it."
"Mom?"
"Then again if it's on the list then it's likely that he needs it. I can't just not get it for him."
"Okay!"
"However! This is about my daughter. I shouldn't take her there. Not yet anyway."
"Mom!" Celest shouts.
Charlie ceases her pacing and looks down at the child. "Something wrong, Celest?"
"You're pulling on my arm."
"Oh?" the woman sets her bags down to kneel in front of her daughter and starts examining her arm. "I'm sorry, Celest. I'm just debating on something."
"Is Cannibal Town that bad?" the child tilts her head.
"It's not that it's bad," the Princess finds herself avoiding eye contact with her kid. "There's just a lot of places here that I don't want you to see yet. It be a lot for someone as innocent as you are. I'm afraid of you losing that part of you too soon."
"But is it really that bad?"
Charlie thought for a moment and remembered her brief visit there before the last Extermination Day. It was actually a decent place.
"You're right. It's not bad, I'm just overthinking," the blond woman stands back up, grabs her child's hand, and starts making her way back down the street.
"Here we go again."
"The only thing we have to worry about is Susan."
"Who's Susan?"
"Someone I hope you'll never have to meet."
.oOo.
"Here you go!" Rosie sets down a box for one of her regular customers. "Here's your one pound of angel meat. I know it's pricey but only so many of them were killed during the Extermination. Our stock is very limited." The bell rings, bringing the shop owner's attention to the front. "Hello, how can I—Well, if it isn't my new friend, Charlie," she was quick to head to meet the princess. "Nice to see you around here again," the Cannibal grabs the Princess' hand and start shaking it furiously. "Now what brings you to my shop all by your lonesome?"
"Well, I'm here to pick up and order for Ala…" Charlie pauses as she processed what the woman before her had said. "Lonesome? I'm here with my…" she turns to gesture to her side only to find and empty spot. "Celest!?" the Princess drops all the bags she was carrying and starts zooming around the shop looking around, over, and under everything. Even going as far to push away some other customers. "Celest!? Where are you!?"
"Um, Princess?" Rosie tried getting her attention only to be ignored.
"Where's my daugh—"
"What a lovely choice, dear. And what's your name?" Rosie is heard saying.
"Celest."
Charlie runs around the counter and sees the Cannibal leaning close to her daughter. The little girl was admiring a mostly red sunset with a black ribbon and rim.
The Hotel Owner wasted no time rushing towards them and hugs the child. "Oh, Celest. Don't ever wonder off like that again. You scared me to death."
"Sorry, Mom," she then holds up the headpiece. "I just wanted to look at the hat."
Charlie only smiled as she hugs the child again.
Rosie then addresses them both. "Perhaps we should take this to a more private area. The Shop Owner leads through the curtain to the back room. "Please have a seat. How about some tea with a little treat?" the tall woman pours three cups of tea and a offers a plate.
Celest reaches for one of the treats but stops as her mom speaks up.
"Um, none of that is made of…"
The Overlord lets out a laugh. "Heavens no! I may be serialistic cannibal but even I have higher standards as to not do that do someone so young. One must grow into that taste on their own."
Charlie looks down at her daughter and nods her head. At which the girl was happy to dig in.
Rosie sits back, "Now, what troubles you, Princess?"
"Okay, so, Celest is my daughter, and I'm knew to this whole mom thing. It kinda freaks me out and the book I got doesn't make me feel much better."
The cannibal holds her hands out. "May I see this book?"
"Of course," Charlie digs into her purse to take out the reading material and offer it to Rosie. "I haven't let that out of my possession since…" and to the Princess' horror, the Overlord tosses the book out the nearest window with a shatter. Even Celest paused midbite while looking at the scene. Rosie only offered a smile.
After a few moments of what felt like an eternity, Charlie jumps out of her seat. "Why would you do that? I needed that book!"
"More often than not, a parenting book is just a bunch of jumbled words on paper," Rosie explains. "Parenting is different for everyone one as every child…" she the eyes the mother before her. "…and every parent are different." That causes the Hotel Owner to sit back down. "It's an experience that must be lived through. A book can only be a guide for that. Not a lifeline."
Hearing this, Charlie looks down at the table. "But what if I F—Screw up?"
"Then you screw up! What's important is that you recognize that you screwed up and better yourself for that. Not only for the sake of your child," Rosie turns to Celest who only looks at them in confusion. "But for your own sake as well."
The Princess starts thinking about how she had been acting all day and fully realizes how ridiculous it was. "Thanks, Rosie!" Charlie hugs her. "I needed that."
The Overlord smiles at Charlie and pats her on the back. "It was nothing, Princess. Now then!" she leads the mother daughter duo out the room and over to a counter. "Here's Alastor's order, paid in advance, of course," Rosie then reaches under the counter to take out the same hat that Celest was looking at. "For the little princess."
Celest's eyes lit up at the hat. "Thanks, Ms. Rosie!"
Charlie smiles at her daughter before reaching into her purse for some money but is stopped by the Shop Owner herself.
"Don't worry about it. It's on the house."
"Are, are you sure?"
"Of course! Consider it a gift. Now feel free to come and visit me any time. I'd love to see more of this cutie." Rosie lean leans closer to the girl. "And, Celest. If you ever find yourself with that special craving for the acquired taste, please come to Auntie Rosie and I'll help you through it."
Before the child can say anything else, she is pulled along by her Mother. "Woah!"
"By, Rosie! Thanks again!" and the two quickly left the shop and soon cannibal town.
"Mom," Celest looks up. "What did Auntie Rosie mean by acquired taste?"
Charlie gives her an awkward smile as a bead of sweat drops from her head. "Nothing, Sweetie. I'll explain it when you're older."
.oOo.
"We're back!" Charlie announces as she and Celest enter the Hotel.
"About time," Vaggie says while walking down the steps with a smile. "I thought for sure you'd beat me home. Especially since the store owner kept me hold up as he was giving me approval for the stuff from Angel's list."
"What kind of store—"
"It's Angel," the grey woman dead pans. "What kind of store do you think it was."
"Oh!"
"Next time, I'm taking Celest while you get humiliated with such purchases," Vaggie then looks down at their daughter. "Hey, Honey. Did you enjoy your day?"
"I sure did, Mama!" the child beams. "I even got a hat from Auntie Rosie," she removes the head attire to show it off her Mama.
"Auntie Rosie?" at first furrowed in confusion before narrowing and turning to Charlie. "You took her to Cannibal Town!? Why would you go there!?"
"Well, it was on the list," the blond woman hands over her half of the list.
Vaggie's face turns red as she rips the piece of paper to shreds. "Alastor!" her spear materializes in her hands. "I'm gonna—" she starts to make her way back up the stairs. But is stopped by her girlfriend.
"Wait, Vaggie! Let me do this. I'm the one he tricked anyway."
Vaggie mumbles something in Spanish before dismissing her spear and saying. "Fine! I'll just take Celest and start putting things away."
"Thanks, Vaggie!" with that, Charlie went up the stairs with Alastor's package.
The former Exorcist continues to mumble in Spanish as she gathers everything.
Celest then says, "¿Está el Señor Alastor en problemas, Mamá? (Is Mr. Alastor in trouble, Mama?)"
"Sí, mi hija. El Señor Alastor está en muchos problemas (Yes my daughter, Mr. Alastor is in a lot of trouble)," Vaggie answers without thinking before her eye widens and she turns to her daughter. "Wait!? You know Spanish?"
"Uh…" the child looks up to the ceiling in confusion. "I think so?"
At that answer, the mother just blinks. There goes her idea of relieving her stress out in Spanish.
.oOo.
"And that brings the end to this evening's broadcast," Alastor announces as he turns his mic off as Charlie walks into the studio.
"Um, Alastor," the Princess walks up to his workstation and sets the package in front of the Sinner Demon. "I have your order."
"Why thank you, Charlie dear!" Alastor was quick to open the box and take a whiff. "Ah! Rosie knows exactly how I like it." he removes a piece of meat to have a taste but soon notices his employer standing there awkwardly while rubbing her arm. "Is there matter you want me to attend to?"
"Twice now you sent me to Rosie for one thing but ended up helping me with my own personal matter at the same time. I know that you mostly do stuff for your own amusement. I bet Rosie already called you to tell you how much I was freaking out. But deep down, I think you also truly want to help. You may not want to change but I don't have much doubt in that sick twisted mind of yours, there is something good."
"My dear, I haven't the foggiest idea what you're going on about. Now, leave me to my meal in peace," To the Radio Demon's shock he receives a hug from the Princess of Hell.
"I knew you wouldn't admit it, but I wanted to thank you anyway," the blond backs away. "And sorry about the hug. I know that you don't like being touched. I'll be going now."
Alastor just watches as Charlie leaves the room and as soon as she the door closes, his old landline rings. He was quick to answer. "Rosie! Before you tell me how you helped our mutual friend and how adorable you think her spawn is, please tell me how pathetic she looked. I want to feel like I was witnessing her misery."
NOTE: For those of you eager to see Papa Lucey, just hold on for a little while longer. That's a few chapters away. I promise.
NOTE 2: Thought it be a nice addition if little Celest just so happens to know Spanish without knowing how she can speak Spanish. I also used a basic translator. So I have no idea how well or accurate it was.