Today will be their first time meeting with Emily to start their, probably long and tedious, work. Wisely, the meeting will be in heaven instead of Hell. Just to minimize the things that could go horrendously wrong. If anything happened to Emily while in Hell they would be done before they had even started. So yes, let's not risk that. Emily was pretty pouty in her letter about it though, wanting to see Hell as well. Perhaps one day, later down the road, but not yet. Alastor would have preferred it to be in Hell for obvious reasons. But Cattaleya had reassured him there is nothing to worry about, which he had some counter arguments for but all he could do in the end was bite his tongue and force a grin saying he would be fine. Also, she knows Alastor is not above tormenting the sweet angel for his own delights and jokes so no, Emily is definitely not coming to Hell.
Vaggie, still not comfortable with being in Heaven, decides to stay behind but she is giving Charlie the quick run through of things to discuss and the paperwork as they wait for the portal to open.
Cattaleya wonders if she actually can make one as well. A portal. Perhaps? Surely not all angels can or else it would be troublesome but she had a weird feeling about Sera talking about her powers… Curiosities for later to dig into. A slip of the tongue can be waited for. Alastor holds out a small baggie and she raises one eyebrow as she takes it. "What is this?"
"Your lunch of course, dear! Did you think I would let you go to work so hard without giving you something to eat?"
Cattaleya laughs a little and shakes her head, her heart warms from the gesture. "Thank you, Darin. But do you truly think they would let us starve? They have food up there as well."
"Mine is better." He grins smugly which has her smiling as well.
"I suppose you didn't make something for the others?" She asks as she eyes the single bag.
"Like you said, they have food up there as well."
"Unbelievable bastard." She pats his cheek and he beams as if she had just given him a great compliment. "I'll be home before dinner time, as we agreed on." She adds. Giving him a time for her return truly helps keep his sanity in check. He gives her cheek a kiss when the portal opens.
Before they can go in though, the little seraphim bursts through in pure enthusiasm and hugs Charlie who was closest by. Their squeals and happy fast chatter has Cattaleya sweat drop. Oh dear. Two hyper bouncy girls. One she can handle but two… Why does she have the feeling she is going to have to call them back to work a lot in their coming meetings. Alastor snickers, feeling the rising despair and pre-exhaustion built in his Dove's body. "Good luck~" Cattaleya narrows at him and mouths at him 'I hate you' which only makes him chuckle harder. "You are the one wanting to play savior Angel. Feel the consequences.~" he says as he lifts her hand and kisses it.
His eyes widen though and his whole demeanor crashes as the little angel now actually gives him a tight hug. "I am so happy to see you too! You two were so adorable and I love how you two are together!"
Charlie and Vaggie both gasp in horror, thinking Alastor might actually tear off the girl's head for having the audacity to touch him so aggressively. But even he knows that is something, even if his body screams for it, he should NOT do. So in pure panic, his tight grin that screams 'help me out' turns to Cattaleya.
She simply mouths with a grin 'feel the consequences' as she looks utterly upmost amused, holding in her laughter.
"Cattaleya told me so much about you!" Alastor's head snaps back to look down at the bright smiling woman. "I would love it if I could perhaps talk to the both of you more, like having a cup or tea or something like that soon!" A small static sound fills the room. His claws are twitching, just as his smile as he has no fucking clue how to respond. His normal responses all highly bloody and inappropriate. And he feels like he can't even verbally snarl at her or else the thing might start crying! How can he, the Radio demon Overlord, be so unarmored by this tiny little-
"Alright alright." Gently, Cattaleya pries Emily off of her disturbed man. Once released, he actually moves to stand behind Cattaleya, hands on her shoulders as if using her as a shield for when the little woman dares… Approach again. "He is actually not that fond of people getting in his space or touching him without warning or his approval."
"Oh, okay, sorry." Emily says with an apologetic smile but not looking really offended or such. "Let's go then! Lots of work to do." She skips off.
Alastor deflates behind her and Cattaleya has to bite her lip as he grits out through his teeth. "Not a single comment."
"Okay~" Cattaleya turns her head and gives his cheek a kiss. "I'll see you soon, love you." And with that said she follows Charlie into the portal.
That had been something he NEVER wants to experience again. He narrows his eyes at Vaggie, who also looks to enjoy his misfortune. "If I were you, I would be very careful with what you do with what you just witnessed. I can not kill you but I can make your life a living Hell if you provoke me." The way her face falls into well placed fear, wondering if he would, has him feeling better yes.
Emily has arranged a room with a round table in the middle, the bright lights of Heaven shining through the roof to ground windows as they encircle the room. The view is outstanding. So gorgeous that it has Charlie with her nose pressed to the window staring out while Cattaleya organizes some papers before they start.
"Do you want to take lead, Charlie?" Cattaleya asks as Emily sits down, smiling in anticipation.
"Oh, yes sure!" Charlie now takes place standing at the table and clears her throat. "First of all, before we start any of this, I just want to say how grateful and happy I am that I have both of you working alongside me to achieve the goals I have been dreaming of for so long. Thanks to you Cattaleya, your bravery and sacrifice, we already managed to stop the extermination, saving my people from gruesome unrighteous deaths. And now, with your help Emily, we will try and convince Heaven to consider re-evaluating souls and make my Hazbin Hotel work. It might not always look good or hopeful and I am sure it will not all go easy but I know, with your support, we can do this!" Emily actually tears up while Cattaleya gives an encouraging and grateful smile. "Alright-" Charlie sniffs and grabs the papers she has prepared. "- now that the sentimental stuff is done, let's get to work! I wrote down our current Hazbin Hotel Rehabilitation program. I thought it would be good to first go through what we already are doing and how we are going to redeem sinners before looking at the next steps." She hands both of them a stack of papers to read through.
As Cattaleya reads them though she really has to bite her tongue not to give an instant comment on the…. Program. Does Charlie truly believe a program that includes trust falls and playing out scenarios will be the core on how to rehabilitate sinners? Their troubles and sins go deep, rooted in their beings. A pat on the back and a 'good job' will not be a solution…
"What do you think?"
"Sounds like a fun program!" Oh dear.
"Cattaleya?" Charlie looks at her expectantly.
"Charlie, before I start, I am just going to tell you I am going to be brutally honest with you as I want this to succeed as much as you do." Charlie's smile falls slightly in worry but she tries to keep it up as she nods. "This-" She holds up the papers. "- will not work. If you present these to sinners or Heaven you will become the subject of laughter. Everything that you have sinners do to redeem themselves is childish. As if you are teaching 5 year olds. Letting them act out a play and then clapping and saying you are on your path to redemption, like I actually saw you do once, will not work. It will not truly change sinners."
"Oh, o-oh well-"
"The lessons you want to teach are right though. But the way you handle them is not. You need to level with the sinners who come to your doorstep. A pre-made program might help give it structure and check boxes but each sinner asks for their own way of approach. They will need to be put to the test, real situations where it is on them whether they fall or rise, and those are the moments you go talk to them, evaluate with the sinner together what choices they have made. They will need to show that they have changed from the inside, not just do the things that are asked from them. Does that make sense?"
Charlie's sullen look slowly changed to one of deep thought the more Cattaleya explained herself. "It does. But how?"
"Well, take Angeldust as an example. He is a drug and alcohol addict. If you take it all away from the Hotel, banish it, he might listen to you there but as soon as he gets the chance he might relapse. He needs to have his own goals clear to him first and then you hand him the drugs yourself. You say to him do whatever you want with it and then see the choice he makes. It is his decision what is more important to him. And then whatever happens, you talk to him about it, but not scolding him nor telling him what to do as that will only make him resent the help and be more likely to go down the road he knows as that is comfort."
"That's putting a lot of responsibility on the sinner." Emily chimes in.
"It does. But it is only them that can prove us they want to redeem themselves." Not many can just literally die to prove their good nature and then wake up in heaven, Cattaleya adds in her mind. "It is simple psychology, one can not hold on to the change of oneself if only motivated by the outside. The motivation for change needs to come from the inside and the person needs to experience the bad as much as the good moments. If you focus on the moments that the sinner has succeeded doing good, that will be the silver line the sinner will grab onto and continue doing so."
Charlie and Emily share a look before Charlie asks. "How do you even know this stuff?"
"Books. Let's say next to physical teachings, my boss deemed it extremely important that I knew how people 'work'. Easier to manipulate that way." Cattaleya walks to the big board with flapover papers on it and grabs the pen. "Your work is not completely unusefull, like I said, these rules and things you want them learn, life lessons, will be the base line. The things we strive for in all sinners to redeem themselves. But on top of that we will build individual programs, perhaps slightly pre-build for certain types of sins but flexible enough to reform by the sinner." She draws it out. "And for that, we'll need more help as this is as far as my knowledge goes. We have the brightest of the brightest in Heaven." She smiles at Emily. "So how many psychologists can you rally up to help with this task?"
Luckily, the hearts of people in Heaven are so full of helpfulness that enough were eager to assist them in their request. They actually took it as a lovely challenge and a good way to 'dust off their books and skills' (not many souls in heaven need mental help) as like a dozen former health care workers and psychologists were arguing and discussing, all in good intentions, to start with the tedious task of specific programming for certain types of sins. They all started with listing sins, from outright evil to the grays, which were a lot, before actually deciding that every sin has its own 'evil or bad' grade from one to ten. Like one could be a hardcore cocaine addict and do other fucked up shit or one could occasionally use drugs for a way to cope with stuff. Each grade would also need a different approach. From counseling to tasks to sessions with a professional. Well, they probably have no health professionals who aren't tainted themselves in Hell but those are worries for later. They have a start.
The session ends with Cattaleya having to cut it short, dinner promises, and with each one present being appointed a sin to work on in the coming time to regroup later and discuss things further. It will be a lot of that. Looking over plans, finding loopholes or things that could be better but they are off to a great beginning.
When they arrive back in Hell, both Charlie and Cattaleya look tired but in a good way. Alastor, as expected, awaits their arrival. Cattaleya smiles at him as they hug. "How was your first day at your new job?" Alastor asks like a husband greeting his wife back home.
"Progress. More than expected."
"Good." He kisses the top of her head before looking at Charlie. "Dinner for all residents is ready and served. Me and Cattaleya will be enjoying ours in our room." He says which was not uncommon for them to do as the residency had grown since her arrival back and Alastor actually preferred being alone with just the two of them. It is not like all the residents ate together all the time but it could get rowdy. So eating in private after a long day of thinking does sound perfect.
"Sure! Thank you, Al. And thank you Cattaleya for your hard work today."
"No problem Charlie. Sorry I was a bit harsh in the beginning-"
"It's alright! You were right." They share a smile. "Have a nice evening."
"Likewise, Charlotte." Alastor says as he swings his cane and leads Cattaleya back to their chambers. "May I ask what harsh words you have spat out to our darling Princess?"
Cattaleya grimaces a bit. "I kind of was pretty…. straightforward about how childish making sinners do trust falls and expecting that to help them redeem themselves is."
He chuckles as he nods. "It appears you were not in the wrong though with saying that!" He opens the door for her and once inside he takes off his tailcoat and hangs it up.
"I was not. And breaking that to her did open up her mind to what else I had to say-" He puts a glass with lemonade for her on the table as she sits down. "- in the end we actually got the help of many mental health workers and psychologists to help construct a base for the redemption program. Still much to be done as it is just a start but I am surprised with how far we have gotten already."
"Hmm, sounds like a lot of work indeed." Alastor mulls out loud, not truly caring about the details but only caring about the fact he can listen to her be happy and proud of what she has accomplished.
When he puts on his apron she raises one eyebrow. "I thought you said you already cooked?"
"For them, sweet Dove! I decided that for you I will make something more special. You deserve something delicious after being such an angel." He snaps his fingers and music starts playing. "It'll be done soon though, don't worry. Can't have you hungry."
"I am sure what you made for the others is delicious as well."
"Certainly! I always perform my best! But for you, I do it slightly more." He winks at her.
Cattaleya smiles lovingly as he starts cooking. "Do I have the time to take a quick shower?"
"How about you don't and I will run you a bath after dinner?"
"I assume you will be joining me?"
"How else will you be able to have an enjoyable bath if I am not present!" He grins widely and when she laughs, his grin melts to a heartfelt smile. The sweetest music in existence.
When he is done cooking, she is greeted with his own favorite dish, Jambalaya, which she knows he only makes on special occasions as it is so dear to him. It has become for that reason alone her favorite as well. They enjoy in silence and when they are done, she insists on cleaning the dishes as he starts running them that bath he had promised her.
Cattaleya walks into the bathroom to see Alastor had already taken his blouse off, neatly folding it and putting it away which makes her giggle at his tidy behavior. Once both undressed, Alastor suddenly lifts her up, earning him another laugh before stepping into the bathtub, big enough for the two of them to sit comfortably. Not that he lets her get much space in between them as he places her between his legs, laying her with her back on his chest. For a long time, she simply lets herself drift into relaxation as she feels him breath. Feels him play with her hair as he humms softly along to the music that still plays.
Home. He is her home.
Cattaleya tilts her head and kisses his jawline before sitting up, moving to straddle him. His cheeks turn a soft hue of red as she can almost feel the heated anticipation rise. "Darling?" He purrs out and she gives him a sultry grin in return. But then she takes the bowl that stands next to the tub, fills it with water and pours it over his head. She has to bite her lip not to giggle as his ears droop because of the unexpected assault. It was to wet his hair though as she next puts shampoo on her hand and starts softly massaging it into his hair, washing it, but mostly giving his head a good thorough rub, going a bit down his neck as well. His whole body relaxes as he sighs out and closes his eyes, his arms relaxing on the edge of the tub. "This is nice." He mumbles, his radio filter gone from his voice.
"Good. Washing someone's hair is actually a very intimate thing in my culture. A thing to be performed between husband and wife." She says softly as she moves to his ears, seeing his face heat up again as he moans softly.
"I see." When she is done giving him long attention, she puts her hand over his eyes so no shampoo could accidentally drip in while she uses the bowl to rinse out his hair. As she sits a bit more backwards he opens his eyes and takes the bowl from her hand. "Turn around. I'm eager to return the favor."
With a smile she does what ask, sitting in her original position between his legs with her back to him but she sits upright now. He sits a bit more upright as well before he wets her hair. "I might take a bit longer though. You have significantly more hair than I do."
Cattaleya softly chuckles. "Take your time." And he does, softly washing and massaging her head just as she had done for him, using his claws to brush through the knots in her hair as well to smoothen it out. He understands why this is a tradition between husband and wife as he feels his love melt tenderly in his hands. He already thought they had reached the highest level of intimacy between their bodies. But sex and intimacy are two very different things he realizes. And even though his enjoys the sex, like very fucking satisfyingly much, this feels…. Even beter. More vulnerable and… connecting in a way. When he is done, after he rinses the bubbles from her hair, he gently puts his hand under her chin from behind and tilts her head, slacking his lips over hers in a deep passion filled tender kiss. He feels her sigh out through her nose as he softly caresses her tongue with his. When they pull apart, after sweet minutes, her whole face is flushed and her eyes hazed with desire. He happily fulfills both their needs as he gently pulls her back to straddle him. Slow, deep and gentle dancing and touching till the waters run cold. Yes, he prefers intimacy over mere sex.
I can't be the only one that thinking they need an ACTUAL plan for their Redemption program. Does my background as a nurse shine through? XD
Tell me what you think! Also, domestic AlxCatty is my new obsession 3 I have emotionally damaged them enough... For now.