Hazbin Hotel: Anthony's
Although there was a heavy decision to be made, everyone still had jobs to do. Charlie still had lesson plans to go through, exercises for the guests, homework, group therapy and any new idea that popped into her head. That was why she was prancing about the lobby in front of everyone, trying to get them to do an interpretive dance about why they'd ended up in Hell to begin with. It was during a twirl that she almost ran right into Carmilla Carmine, the imposing figure standing tall above her and looking down at her with her usual air of disinterest, her two daughters Clara and Odette standing behind her. "Oh! Hi!" she had to lean back to smile up at the woman. Clara giggled, but Odette remained stoic. "Princess. Alastor invited me to a meeting; at the bar I believe?" Charlie gave a nervous laugh "Oh right…sorry, that way" she pointed toward a doorway with a maître de stand and a couple of potted plants.
Carmilla let her judgmental gaze pass over everyone and the situation before her "Stay here daughters. Try not to have too much fun" the distinctive metal tap of her metallic heels against the floor faded away as she headed in the direction of the bar. Charlie looked at the girls, Clara waving with a smile, Odette staying in much the same demeanor as her mother.
Carmilla was not surprised to see that she was not the only one invited to this meeting. She saw Alastor standing by the bar, not hard to see as he was always adorned in bright red, but when she saw Zestial a very rare smile graced her features, though subtle. As he was facing her Zestial was the first to notice her and he returned her smile as he excused himself from Alastor "Carmilla, thou art as graceful as always" he bowed to her "a pleasant site to mine eyes" he stood and she looked up to him with a slight tint to her cheeks, though with her practiced restraint "Zestial, had I known you'd been invited I would have come with you" Together they returned to the bar and Zestial took her hand, helping her onto a stool "And deny you the pleasure of a grand entrance, perish the thought" They carried on as if Alastor wasn't there, though he cleared his throat to regain their attention. Carmilla looked at him, her face returning to it's stoic gaze the second she did. "Alastor, I'm sorry I didn't see you there" He grinned a dangerous grin as he took up a seat at the bar's corner "Carmilla how lovely of you to join us. Please, order anything you like, my dear Husker can make it for you"
Husker silently made and served the drinks. Overlord meetings were dangerous at best, especially when it concerned another overlord. "Alastor, thou have been silent as to the reason for thy missives. TELL ME! To what do we owe the pleasure of thy company this day?" His wings outstretched and his eyes glowed with intensity as he focused in on Alastor. Carmilla, also curious, sipped at her drink as she watched Alastor over her glass "You know Alastor, Zestial, he never gives you the whole story, only enough that you need to know and hang on his every word till you find out the rest" Alastor's nails threatened to dig into the counter. If Husker could, he'd laugh at the situation the radio demon now found himself in. Overlords were not his favorite company. "Now that you're both here I can get down to the business at hand. I received a message from Caine yesterday" Carmilla almost spit out her drink, Zestial freezing as he lifted his cup of tea to his lips. Alastor grinned heavily now that he had their attention.
"He has decided to call in a favor I owe him and has asked for entrance to this hotel. Once could presume his intention is to redeem himself to Heaven" At this Carmilla slammed her fist onto the bar, making Husker back up just a bit "You fool! It's one thing for a sinner to make deals with us, but when you, an overlord, make one with another overlord, not to mention the most powerful of us all" she glared bright red into his eyes "Do you have any idea how dangerous that is?" Alastor made gauges in the wood with his nails. He hated how in check he had to be with his fellow overlords. "Different times my dear. Anyone here would have done the same in my position" Carmilla only scoffed "No one here would have found themselves in your position. You thought going after other overlords was a fun pastime, a way to cut your teeth down here. You cut through the city like Caine himself. Did you not think you'd garner his attention?" Slightly Alastor's horns grew as he became annoyed with the weapon's dealers. He hated having to explain himself "What better way to gain an audience with such a power as "the butcher of the pride ring" than by making a splash?"
"And you ended up indebted to him. Tell me, how did that figure into your grand schemes oh powerful radio demon?" she taunted him with his title and before a fight could break out that could level the whole neighborhood, Zestial chimed in "Far be it from me to question thy motives Alastor, but I be in a bewilderment as to how this all benefits thou" Alastor had to calm himself. They were in an agreed upon neutral zone. They couldn't fight here. "There's more than one way to defeat an overlord. If Caine is redeemed, he will no longer be around to pose a threat. Think of the power vacuum that would leave behind unless someone stepped in to make sure things remained calm and kept a territory dispute from breaking out.
Carmilla's eyes narrowed to slits and she set her glass down "No doubt a power vacuum you intend to take full advantage of. Looking to fill the bigger shoes?" He simply looked at his nails and said "If they fit, then I'll wear them. But the reason I called you both here is far more pressing. You two were once his most devoted followers. It was your hands that built his legions, aided in his slaughter and gave him the power he now holds. So tell me, why would he give up all of that now for Heaven?" It was a conversation he and Lucifer had had long into the night. Why? When he saw Carmilla look away from him he leaned in a little closer, his wicked smile zeroing in on her "The years go by so quickly and yet it all feels like yesterday does it not? The heat of battle, the thrill of victory. You all shared many a tale or two in your time. I wonder, does the closeness between comrades ever get a little more…intimate?" She scratched at the bar and that's when he knew he had her "Care to share something with the group Miss Carmine?"
Before she could say anything, Zestial fanned his wings and drew to his full height, even growing in order to stop this line of questioning "ALASTOR!" Zestial wasn't one for flaring his temper or unnecessary confrontation and calmed as soon as it had happened, lowering back to his seat now that he'd drawn attention away from Carmilla, always remaining the gentleman before all else "It has been a long time, tis true, our association with Caine was a long and arduous one, it had its privileges, and its challenges, but thy curiosity must go unanswered. He never shares more than anyone needs to know, he doth not trust easily" Alastor merely laughed to shake off the awkwardness.
"He trusted us Zestial, once upon a time anyway" she downed the rest of her drink, instead of asking for more, merely reaching around the bar and grabbing a full bottle to drink from. "Alastor do you ever think that your meddling will bring about a very unfortunate consequence for you?" she didn't even wait for a response as she tipped back the bottle and took a long drink.
Alastor wasn't interested in old stories and forgotten times. He wanted to know what Caine wanted, what his plans were. These two were the only ones who knew him better than anyone could. What dramatic irony that Caine opened up the cagiest people this side of the pentagram. "I need to know if he's coming here to destroy us or to actually make use of the hotel." He reiterated in a somewhat annoyed tone "You two were there that day. I may not have been here as long as you, but I've heard the story. You had Lucifer's palace surrounded; he was on the brink of waving the white flag. Caine almost had the devil's throne in his grasp. Then he just gives up, tells his armies to disband and go home. He's unpredictable and a loose cannon, a dangerous combination. So should we allow him through our doors or not?"
Zestial and Carmilla shared a look. That had been a confusing day to say the least. "Alastor Caine will never share anything with you unless he wants you to know" she then gave him a look that he often gave to others when something was on his mind "Although, my spies tell me that a certain angel of yours found her way to the manor yesterday. She returned in one piece, so perhaps he's more accepting of this idea than you think" This was news to Alastor, who usually was on top of everything going on at the hotel. "If thou art really interested as to his motives, perhaps you should ask him yourself" A knowing smile started to creep over his features, Carmilla matching his amusement "He won't. He knows what Caine will do to him if he presses his luck" Short of becoming a full-sized demon, the only show of anger Alastor displayed was a curt nod "Well then, I'm sorry to have wasted your time, I'm sure Husker can show you out" he needed out of the room before he really did something he regretted. Carmilla was just too good at breaking his demeanor.
The two overlords left the restaurant together, stepping into the lobby and freezing in place, Carmilla's eyes widening in a bit of shock. Charlie was showing Clara how to do trust falls while Odette sat on a nearby sofa, though thanks to Niffty, she was now covered in various rainbow and unicorn stickers. She had a small smile on her face about it though. Carmilla cleared her throat "Girls…" they immediately got up and went over to their mother who reached out and plucked a unicorn sticker off of Odette's forehead "It's time to leave, walk ahead will you?" they left immediately without even looking back, Carmilla taking the sticker and putting it in Charlie's hand "Thank you, for your hospitality" Once again that steely gaze passed over Charlie, unreadable and cold. Zestial echoed her sentiments, and they left walking side by side, keeping a close eye on the girls.
The pair walked in silence while all around them sinners were jumping in front of cars or taking their own lives by various means. One of them started stabbing himself in the chest and laid down in the street to bleed. It took a good long while before Carmilla voiced her thoughts "Why didn't he come to us? Haven't we always been his devoted and loyal companions? I'd cut off my own arm if he commanded it…perhaps my thoughts all these years have been correct. We disappointed him, we were weak, and he sensed weakness." Zestial said nothing, too deep in his own thoughts about that time "If we had just resisted…" As she started to lament, he stopped and took her arms in a gentle hold "Thou will not condemn what we had as something to be ashamed of. The love we share is not a curse, not anything he would have forsaken us for. If thou believe thy feelings are what caused him to abandon his war, thou art surely mistaken" She didn't feel any better but when he talked like that it was enough to make her at least remember those early years "You didn't see those looks, the pain of watching. We had what he could never, and I think he hated us for it"
He had seen, had heard, had felt contempt for their relationship coming from the very friend they thought would always support them. But that wasn't why he stopped. It couldn't have been. The fire in those eyes, the ruthlessness. Zestial had truly felt he was going all the way to the throne. So, when he told them no more, told them to just leave. It had been a betrayal of their beliefs in their leader, their friend. "Put these thots from thy head and thy heart Carmilla. He was never the same after he came back from his meeting with Lucifer. Whatever was discussed, agreed upon, it changed him forever. I fear we've lost the friend we once knew. He's only been replaced with something much more volatile"
Hazbin Hotel: Anthony's
Although there was a heavy decision to be made, everyone still had jobs to do. Charlie still had lesson plans to go through, exercises for the guests, homework, group therapy and any new idea that popped into her head. That was why she was prancing about the lobby in front of everyone, trying to get them to do an interpretive dance about why they'd ended up in Hell to begin with. It was during a twirl that she almost ran right into Carmilla Carmine, the imposing figure standing tall above her and looking down at her with her usual air of disinterest, her two daughters Clara and Odette standing behind her. "Oh! Hi!" she had to lean back to smile up at the woman. Clara giggled, but Odette remained stoic. "Princess. Alastor invited me to a meeting; at the bar I believe?" Charlie gave a nervous laugh "Oh right…sorry, that way" she pointed toward a doorway with a maître de stand and a couple of potted plants.
Carmilla let her judgmental gaze pass over everyone and the situation before her "Stay here daughters. Try not to have too much fun" the distinctive metal tap of her metallic heels against the floor faded away as she headed in the direction of the bar. Charlie looked at the girls, Clara waving with a smile, Odette staying in much the same demeanor as her mother.
Carmilla was not surprised to see that she was not the only one invited to this meeting. She saw Alastor standing by the bar, not hard to see as he was always adorned in bright red, but when she saw Zestial a very rare smile graced her features, though subtle. As he was facing her Zestial was the first to notice her and he returned her smile as he excused himself from Alastor "Carmilla, thou art as graceful as always" he bowed to her "a pleasant site to mine eyes" he stood and she looked up to him with a slight tint to her cheeks, though with her practiced restraint "Zestial, had I known you'd been invited I would have come with you" Together they returned to the bar and Zestial took her hand, helping her onto a stool "And deny you the pleasure of a grand entrance, perish the thought" They carried on as if Alastor wasn't there, though he cleared his throat to regain their attention. Carmilla looked at him, her face returning to it's stoic gaze the second she did. "Alastor, I'm sorry I didn't see you there" He grinned a dangerous grin as he took up a seat at the bar's corner "Carmilla how lovely of you to join us. Please, order anything you like, my dear Husker can make it for you"
Husker silently made and served the drinks. Overlord meetings were dangerous at best, especially when it concerned another overlord. "Alastor, thou have been silent as to the reason for thy missives. TELL ME! To what do we owe the pleasure of thy company this day?" His wings outstretched and his eyes glowed with intensity as he focused in on Alastor. Carmilla, also curious, sipped at her drink as she watched Alastor over her glass "You know Alastor, Zestial, he never gives you the whole story, only enough that you need to know and hang on his every word till you find out the rest" Alastor's nails threatened to dig into the counter. If Husker could, he'd laugh at the situation the radio demon now found himself in. Overlords were not his favorite company. "Now that you're both here I can get down to the business at hand. I received a message from Caine yesterday" Carmilla almost spit out her drink, Zestial freezing as he lifted his cup of tea to his lips. Alastor grinned heavily now that he had their attention.
"He has decided to call in a favor I owe him and has asked for entrance to this hotel. Once could presume his intention is to redeem himself to Heaven" At this Carmilla slammed her fist onto the bar, making Husker back up just a bit "You fool! It's one thing for a sinner to make deals with us, but when you, an overlord, make one with another overlord, not to mention the most powerful of us all" she glared bright red into his eyes "Do you have any idea how dangerous that is?" Alastor made gauges in the wood with his nails. He hated how in check he had to be with his fellow overlords. "Different times my dear. Anyone here would have done the same in my position" Carmilla only scoffed "No one here would have found themselves in your position. You thought going after other overlords was a fun pastime, a way to cut your teeth down here. You cut through the city like Caine himself. Did you not think you'd garner his attention?" Slightly Alastor's horns grew as he became annoyed with the weapon's dealers. He hated having to explain himself "What better way to gain an audience with such a power as "the butcher of the pride ring" than by making a splash?"
"And you ended up indebted to him. Tell me, how did that figure into your grand schemes oh powerful radio demon?" she taunted him with his title and before a fight could break out that could level the whole neighborhood, Zestial chimed in "Far be it from me to question thy motives Alastor, but I be in a bewilderment as to how this all benefits thou" Alastor had to calm himself. They were in an agreed upon neutral zone. They couldn't fight here. "There's more than one way to defeat an overlord. If Caine is redeemed, he will no longer be around to pose a threat. Think of the power vacuum that would leave behind unless someone stepped in to make sure things remained calm and kept a territory dispute from breaking out.
Carmilla's eyes narrowed to slits and she set her glass down "No doubt a power vacuum you intend to take full advantage of. Looking to fill the bigger shoes?" He simply looked at his nails and said "If they fit, then I'll wear them. But the reason I called you both here is far more pressing. You two were once his most devoted followers. It was your hands that built his legions, aided in his slaughter and gave him the power he now holds. So tell me, why would he give up all of that now for Heaven?" It was a conversation he and Lucifer had had long into the night. Why? When he saw Carmilla look away from him he leaned in a little closer, his wicked smile zeroing in on her "The years go by so quickly and yet it all feels like yesterday does it not? The heat of battle, the thrill of victory. You all shared many a tale or two in your time. I wonder, does the closeness between comrades ever get a little more…intimate?" She scratched at the bar and that's when he knew he had her "Care to share something with the group Miss Carmine?"
Before she could say anything, Zestial fanned his wings and drew to his full height, even growing in order to stop this line of questioning "ALASTOR!" Zestial wasn't one for flaring his temper or unnecessary confrontation and calmed as soon as it had happened, lowering back to his seat now that he'd drawn attention away from Carmilla, always remaining the gentleman before all else "It has been a long time, tis true, our association with Caine was a long and arduous one, it had its privileges, and its challenges, but thy curiosity must go unanswered. He never shares more than anyone needs to know, he doth not trust easily" Alastor merely laughed to shake off the awkwardness.
"He trusted us Zestial, once upon a time anyway" she downed the rest of her drink, instead of asking for more, merely reaching around the bar and grabbing a full bottle to drink from. "Alastor do you ever think that your meddling will bring about a very unfortunate consequence for you?" she didn't even wait for a response as she tipped back the bottle and took a long drink.
Alastor wasn't interested in old stories and forgotten times. He wanted to know what Caine wanted, what his plans were. These two were the only ones who knew him better than anyone could. What dramatic irony that Caine opened up the cagiest people this side of the pentagram. "I need to know if he's coming here to destroy us or to actually make use of the hotel." He reiterated in a somewhat annoyed tone "You two were there that day. I may not have been here as long as you, but I've heard the story. You had Lucifer's palace surrounded; he was on the brink of waving the white flag. Caine almost had the devil's throne in his grasp. Then he just gives up, tells his armies to disband and go home. He's unpredictable and a loose cannon, a dangerous combination. So should we allow him through our doors or not?"
Zestial and Carmilla shared a look. That had been a confusing day to say the least. "Alastor Caine will never share anything with you unless he wants you to know" she then gave him a look that he often gave to others when something was on his mind "Although, my spies tell me that a certain angel of yours found her way to the manor yesterday. She returned in one piece, so perhaps he's more accepting of this idea than you think" This was news to Alastor, who usually was on top of everything going on at the hotel. "If thou art really interested as to his motives, perhaps you should ask him yourself" A knowing smile started to creep over his features, Carmilla matching his amusement "He won't. He knows what Caine will do to him if he presses his luck" Short of becoming a full-sized demon, the only show of anger Alastor displayed was a curt nod "Well then, I'm sorry to have wasted your time, I'm sure Husker can show you out" he needed out of the room before he really did something he regretted. Carmilla was just too good at breaking his demeanor.
The two overlords left the restaurant together, stepping into the lobby and freezing in place, Carmilla's eyes widening in a bit of shock. Charlie was showing Clara how to do trust falls while Odette sat on a nearby sofa, though thanks to Niffty, she was now covered in various rainbow and unicorn stickers. She had a small smile on her face about it though. Carmilla cleared her throat "Girls…" they immediately got up and went over to their mother who reached out and plucked a unicorn sticker off of Odette's forehead "It's time to leave, walk ahead will you?" they left immediately without even looking back, Carmilla taking the sticker and putting it in Charlie's hand "Thank you, for your hospitality" Once again that steely gaze passed over Charlie, unreadable and cold. Zestial echoed her sentiments, and they left walking side by side, keeping a close eye on the girls.
The pair walked in silence while all around them sinners were jumping in front of cars or taking their own lives by various means. One of them started stabbing himself in the chest and laid down in the street to bleed. It took a good long while before Carmilla voiced her thoughts "Why didn't he come to us? Haven't we always been his devoted and loyal companions? I'd cut off my own arm if he commanded it…perhaps my thoughts all these years have been correct. We disappointed him, we were weak, and he sensed weakness." Zestial said nothing, too deep in his own thoughts about that time "If we had just resisted…" As she started to lament, he stopped and took her arms in a gentle hold "Thou will not condemn what we had as something to be ashamed of. The love we share is not a curse, not anything he would have forsaken us for. If thou believe thy feelings are what caused him to abandon his war, thou art surely mistaken" She didn't feel any better but when he talked like that it was enough to make her at least remember those early years "You didn't see those looks, the pain of watching. We had what he could never, and I think he hated us for it"
He had seen, had heard, had felt contempt for their relationship coming from the very friend they thought would always support them. But that wasn't why he stopped. It couldn't have been. The fire in those eyes, the ruthlessness. Zestial had truly felt he was going all the way to the throne. So, when he told them no more, told them to just leave. It had been a betrayal of their beliefs in their leader, their friend. "Put these thots from thy head and thy heart Carmilla. He was never the same after he came back from his meeting with Lucifer. Whatever was discussed, agreed upon, it changed him forever. I fear we've lost the friend we once knew. He's only been replaced with something much more volatile"