Charlie stared at her cork board. Strings, crayon drawings, and notes were spread chaotically about in an attempt to make sense of her jumbled thoughts. Alastor sat on the couch, his trademark smile plastered on his narrow face as he watched her pace back and forth. "It doesn't make any sense," Charlie remarked, "The hotel has been rebuilt better than ever, but it's already been a week and no new sinners have come to check in!"

"I hate to say it, princess, but I can't really say I blame 'em," Angel Dust responded, "I mean, the hotel is on the exorcists' radar now. Even with Adam gone, how can they be sure more won't come back and try to finish the job? Things didn't exactly turn out well for… well, you know." He glanced sadly at the memorial painting of Sir Pentious.

"Maybe we need an updated commercial," Vaggie suggested.

"We had a deal," Alastor's static voice reminded her, "I won't be working with that picture box again."

Vaggie glared back at him but couldn't say anything about it. She had agreed after all. But she was at such a loss to how to help her girlfriend. Charlie was trying so hard, and they were all still mourning Sir Pentious. "Maybe we should just take it easy for a little bit. These past few months have been hard on us all."

"No! We can't just sit around," Charlie ran her fingers through her hair in frustration, "Who knows what Heaven will do next? Maybe they'll stop the exorcisms, or maybe they'll come back with ten times the force. Dad can't figure out what they're doing up there and I don't want to end up as sitting ducks."

Nifty came skuttling in, a feather duster in one hand, "There's someone at the door!"

Everyone looked at her, "Wait, really?" Charlie sounded instantly hopeful, "Who is it?"

"He hee. It's an angel," she giggled again and added, "She's so pretty and clean," Nifty began laughing maniacally before bustling out to chase more bugs.

Everyone froze, the tension palpable. Alastor stood, his grin mixed with a sneer, "I'll deal with this." The static in his voice increased with the apprehension.

Charlie grabbed his arm, "Wait, Alastor, we don't know who this is. Maybe we should talk to them first?"

"Fuck that," Husk replied, "Those sick bastards can't be trusted."

Vaggie gripped her spear tighter, "There's no knowing what they could be doing here. We'll talk first, but I will not hesitate to end them at the first sign of trouble."

Charlie smiled at Vaggie. She was aways so supportive. Taking a deep breath, she made her way from the parlor to the entrance. Her hand hesitated over the doorknob for only a moment before she opened the door.

Standing in front of her was a particularly pretty angel with deer-like features and a halo that looked like it was made of ice and snowflakes. She had a gentle smile on her face and a large pile of boxes at her feet. "Hi," She spoke cheerfully, "I'm Elida. Sir Pentious sent me."

That took Charlie off guard. She was ready for a battle, or even a tough conversation about the exterminations, but she hadn't expected this. Her mouth opened and closed. She didn't want to believe it. Sir Pentious was dead. She saw Adam murder him with her own eyes. Eventually she settled on, "That's not possible."

Instead of getting angry or condescending like Charlie had come to expect from Angels, Elida pulled a phone from her dress pocket. "He said you might have a hard time taking my word for that, so we took this as proof," She turned the screen towards Charlie and pressed play on a short video.

It was Sir Pentious. He stood next to Emily and Elida, waving happily. He had a halo over his head. He only said one thing, "You did it Charlie, the hotel worksss!" Then the video ended. It was all she needed. Taking the phone like it was the most precious thing she'd ever seen, she collapsed to her knees in tears. She played the video again. It was really him.

Elida knelt down beside her, placing a dainty hand on Charlie's shoulder, "I take it you're princess Charlie?"

All she could do in response was nod between sobs. "He's so proud of you," Elida stated softly. "He asked me to tell you that he loves you all, and that he can't wait to see his friends when they earn their own redemption. Here," She grabbed a bundle of golden envelopes tied together with a white ribbon, "He wrote these for you. He asked me to deliver them to you."

"Gimme that," Vaggie snatched the bundle out of Elida's hand, "How can we know you're not just trying to fuck with us?" She poised her spear toward the intruder's chest.

Elida stood up, taking quiet note of the angelic weapon in the angry woman's hand. "May I come in?"

Static and a soft hum of some difficult to identify music came from a dark shape appearing in the doorway behind them, "What is this, then?" A thin man about a head taller than Elida manifested from the shadows. He wore a red tailcoat and had a sharp-toothed grin on his face. One look at him and she knew it was a mask, but it was an effective one. She couldn't quite read the thoughts behind his red eyes.

"You must be Alastor," She offered a polite curtsey, "Pleasure to meet you, sir." A little politeness never hurt. She needed them to know she wasn't here as an enemy. "I've been sent as an ambassador for Heaven to foster peace with Hell and assist in the Hazbin Hotel's mission to rehabilitate sinners."

Charlie looked up, "You mean, we finally convinced them to work together?" Her eyes were red and wet.

Elida smiled kindly, "You did. And frankly, I'd have come here sooner had I heard about any of this earlier on. It was all kept very top secret from Heaven's citizens. I'm not even permitted to discuss details with anyone in Heaven that doesn't have official clearance. I think Seraphim is ashamed of the exterminations. But I'm here now, and I'm ready to help. If you'll permit me, I would like to move into the hotel with you so we can get started."

"My my, what an entertaining development," Alastor remarked, adjusting his red monocle to get a better look at her, "In that case," he stepped past Charlie as Vaggie helped her back to her feet, "Welcome to the Hazbin Hotel!" He offered his arm, "Please permit me to show you around."

Elida reached down to collect one of her many boxes, but Alastor stopped her, "Allow me, dear." Snapping his fingers, a dozen or two tiny voodoo-doll looking creatures crawled up from the ground and began collecting the parcels. Perplexed, but unwilling to let it show on her face, Elida took his arm and stepped through the entrance. His arm was warm, even through his coat. She wondered if that was a side-effect of living in Hell or if it was specific to him.

"What the fuck is this?" A winged cat man stared at her like he wanted to stab her in the face.

"She is the newest member of our family here," Charlie beamed, practically dancing up to meet them. "She brought us the proof we need to get sinners to come to the hotel!"

"What kind 'a proof," another soul asked, this one thin and spidery.

Charlie showed Elida's phone to the others and played the video. Their jaws all dropped. "No fuckin' way… That slimy son of a bitch really did it. I'll be damned," the spider looked back up at their new guest. "I'm Angel," He winked at her.

She smiled at the irony of his name and winked back cheekily; She'd found it was always good to match someone's energy when trying to get them to like you. "Elida. And what is your name, sir?" She turned her gaze to the winged cat.

"Husker," He responded, a grumpy expression that Elida suspected was just how his face always looked.

"Ah yes, Sir Pentious said you were great at mixing drinks. I do something similar, but mine are beverages of a different type."

He looked at her quizzically, "The fuck does that even mean?"

"Well, I'm so glad you asked." An impish grin found its way to her face. She turned to the thin man still holding her arm, "Do you have an empty space that I could use to set a little something up by any chance?"

He raised an eyebrow at that, but the smile remained ever-present on his face, "Why of course, miss. He indicated an empty and badly lit corner at the far end of the room. It was clearly new and clean like the rest of the building, but hardly prime real-estate. You're free to use this space to your heart's content." His tone was mocking, but Elida ignored it. The corner was perfect for what she needed.

She released his arm and reached into her pocket for a small pouch. Opening it up, she poured a glittery powder into her hand. She whispered a quiet spell into the powder and blew it into the air. The sparkling substance spread out into the air, swirling around the little corner of the room. Shapes began to form and soon a table, register, shelves, and strange vials appeared. A pleasant white light came from seemingly nowhere, lighting up the once-dark space. A cauldron and several odd tools populated the table. And just like that, her potions shop was open for business. She put the pouch back into her pocket and brushed the residual powder stuck to her hand off on her dress. "Welcome to Positivity Potions! Your one-stop-shop for quality brews, custom commissions, and white witchcraft."

Alastor looked oddly impressed, "Ha! I didn't know witches were allowed into Heaven. How interesting." A strange green aura showed around his silhouette for a moment before disappearing just as quickly as it had appeared.

"It's not the magic you wield that matters, but what you choose to do with it," Elida remarked. "But you're right, not a lot of us end up passing divine judgement. Between you and me, I think it's related to our tendency to dislike rules and our insistence on asking questions other people don't like. Oh! I wonder if I'd be able to meet more of my sisters down here!"

"You have siblings?" Charlie asked politely.

Alastor shook his head, "No, Charlie darling, not biological siblings. Witches call each other sisters." He poked Elida playfully on the nose with his staff, "I happen to know exactly where Hell's witches reside. They put on the loveliest firelight parties. I'd be delighted to introduce you."

A white glow emanated from Elida as her face lit up in excitement, "Really? I can't tell you what that would mean to me! There are so few of us back at home."

Alastor's sharp grin changed to a closed smile. His head tilted to the side, eyes narrowing in curiosity. This angel was an odd one to be sure. He couldn't help but be ecstatic at her arrival; She was sure to be a spectacular source of entertainment. He decided he was going to pry every shred of her history out of her. He wanted to know how a witch, no matter how sweet and polite, ended up passing divine judgement. Usually, their practice was considered blasphemous. "Did you design this shop just for us, or did you already have one," he asked, the static in his voice abating just a bit.

"I already had it. I had a nice steady stream of customers, too. I only sell things that can improve people's lives, so while it took some time to get people to try them, I ended up with several regulars and a healthy reputation for quality work," Elida lifted her chin proudly.

The tall spider called Angel walked over and picked up a few different-colored vials off of a shelf. He looked at their labels, reading them aloud, "Wisdom, healing, insight, confidence… Addiction treatment?"

"Ah yes," Elida walked up and plucked the vial from his hand, admiring her own work, "One of my finer brews if I do say so myself." Uncorking the vial, she brought it to her nose, enjoying the aroma. "Most people in heaven don't have addictions to treat, but now and again you'll get a smoker or someone who had been born to a mother that did a lot of drugs, or any other of a thousand extenuating circumstances. They earned Heaven, but still had that dependence itching away at them. It was interfering with their paradise, so I created this as a way to help. Basically, whenever someone starts to feel the need to indulge in their addiction, let's use smoking as an example… When they feel the need for a cigarette, instead of smoking, they take one of these. It makes the craving go away and decreases the withdrawal symptoms they would have felt when going without. Unfortunately, it does take multiple doses. You have to keep taking it until the addiction has been purged from your system. It might not be an instant fix, but it helps when someone is trying to go cold turkey or decrease their dependence."

Angel looked at it with interest, so Elida recorked the vial and handed it to him. "Here, it's yours if you want it."

His eyes narrowed. The first of something being free was an obvious red flag to him, "How much?"

Elida's shook her head, "I've decided that as an incentive to get people to come to the hotel, my potions are free to Hazbin residents. You live here, so it's yours. You can have as many as you like. All I ask is that you tell me what you take so I can replace them."

"And what about when you run out?"

"Then I'll make more. I can plan my inventory if you have an idea of how many you'd like on a regular basis. As for ingredients, I have an arrangement with the Seraphim. They will sponsor all materials and expenses I need to be comfortable and successful here. And they have no shortage of wealth and resources."

Angel crossed his arms, "What's the catch?"

Elida smiled knowingly, "The catch is that you have to actually remember take them for it to work. And it's a labor on my end. One that I am happy to do."

Husker folded his arm and chimed in, "And what's to stop someone from stealing your entire stock and selling it outside the hotel?"

Elida shrugged, "Nothing really. I can't force people to be honest. But at least that would have the added effect of more people gaining exposure to my potions. It might have a silver lining and bring more people in looking to get more of them straight from the source instead of waiting on a new stolen supply."

Alastor appreciated her ability to see the bigger picture. It was a tragically uncommon trait. He wouldn't have had the same attitude about being robbed if he were in her position, but he understood her logic. "Well then, with that out of the way, how about that tour?" He once again offered her his arm. He was a gentleman after all.

She gracefully accepted, noting for a second time his high temperature. He also quietly took note of her own abnormally cold hands. It was almost a relief from the endless burning. Charlie bounced about beside them, gleefully showing off her pride and joy. The princess's energy was relentless, and it made Elida smile. She found Charlie cute.

They explored the hotel, making sure Elida could find her way around. It was a nice place, fine craftsmanship and clearly designed with love, but nothing like the silver and gold palaces of Heaven. She took note of the hot tub in the pool area. She'd certainly be making use of it in her off hours. As Alastor guided her through the hallways, she studied him closer. He had impeccable posture, classy but slightly torn clothing, and some sort of static with retro-sounding music in the background surrounding him. His staff looked like some kind of microphone. He was a deer, just like her. She wondered if he had been hit by a car too, or if he had died some other way.

Alastor was doing the same thing, eyeing her sideways while they walked. She could be a powerful soul to control if he could manage to get her under contract, but something told him that would be a fruitless effort. There was intelligence in her eyes, and he doubted he'd be able to get her to sell something as precious as her soul for anything he could provide. Watching her movements, he could see she was graceful, like the doe her soul had taken the shape of. She had manners, which he always appreciated. His good friend Rosie would practically adopt this girl if he introduced the two of them. He studied the fine snowflakes crowning her halo, which was easy to do discreetly, as it was right at his eye level. He couldn't help but ask, "Tell me, dear, how exactly did you die?"

He knew it was a rude question, but Elida only smirked a little, "I'll tell you my story if you tell me yours."

Ah, a businesswoman. He could respect that. "A trade then," he agreed.

She nodded, satisfied, "It was Yule," She began, "I had just gotten home from celebrating with my parents for the day. It was dark out by then, aside from everyone's Christmas lights." She waved a hand, conjuring a small illusion that moved with them as they walked, illustrating her story for him. Charlie turned around, watching with interest. Alastor liked the showmanship. He saw a still-living Elida in a thick coat exiting a motor car and waving hello to a little girl, possibly seven years old or so. "It was icy out. I hate the cold, but that's what Yule is for after all, celebrating the beginning of the end of winter. Anyway, the neighbor kid was playing with her new Christmas present, blissfully ignoring the world as children often do when I saw a car coming down our street at a ridiculous speed. Their lights were off, they were going way too fast, and it was obvious they were drunk. They lost control and were on a collision course with my neighbor's daughter. She didn't see the car coming, so I made a split-second decision and pushed her out of the way." Alastor saw the illusory figure in front of them give the little girl a rough shove. It looked like it hurt, but she landed far enough away to escape the collision. "I slipped and couldn't get back up from the ice in time to get out of the way." Alastor watched in sadistic amusement as the drunk driver collided violently with the little figure in the snow. Crushed like a deer in the headlights.

"Next thing I know I'm standing at the pearly gates and St. Peter was asking my name. I did check, the kid was okay. I look in on her now and again. She's doing well, getting good grades. Her parents got her into therapy after seeing my blood staining the snow. I'd have preferred to die of old age, but I don't regret my decision. It was me or her, and I chose her. As I understand it, the driver died too, but I never saw him at the pearly gates. Maybe he's down here. I wonder If I'd be able to find him… Assuming he wasn't slaughtered by the exorcists."

"And what would you do if you did find him?" Alastor asked, his smile still wide on his cheeks.

Elida considered that question, tilting her head in thought. "I think… I'd forgive him. He made an unwise choice, and I paid the price, but then again so did he. If he did end up in Hell because of it, then the consequences for him were far steeper than mine."

Charlie looked like she was about to explode. "That's so beautiful!"

"And what if they don't feel remorse," Alastor mused, "would you take your just revenge?"

Once again, she contemplated his question. Eventually she shook her head, "No, I don't need his permission to forgive him. I can't control how he feels or behaves, but I can control myself."

An interesting response. Alastor didn't expect that, even from an angel. The few he'd met had been violent, prideful, and judgmental. Easily justifiable targets for him to slaughter. But this doe was shockingly softhearted. She was going to get eaten alive down here, possibly literally. She seemed to hold a similar moral philosophy as his mother had in life. He wondered if they'd met in Heaven.

It was a secret he kept close to the chest, but Alastor had a strict moral code. He would only hurt bad people. Luckily for him, those were in abundance down here. He didn't even have to verify that his victims were evil anymore. They were in Hell, which was all the proof he needed that he could hurt them to his heart's content. When he was alive, he had to do a lot of homework to make sure his victims were worthy of the torture and death he dealt out. But unless she did something to set him off, Elida was off limits to Alastor's cruelty. Inconveniently, by virtue of his own code, he was obligated to ensure that no other demons hurt her either, not that anyone else needed to know about that. It was a shame, he loved tasting the flesh of the exorcists after the battle. He expected her blood would be just as delectable. He hoped she would do something that could justify that protection being revoked. He would enjoy getting the chance to torture a pretty little angel. She'd have been an entertaining plaything with the loveliest agonized screams. Oh well.

"Your turn," her confident voice interrupted his thoughts, "How did you die?" Charlie stood silently to the side, clearly interested in hearing his story. After all this time she still hadn't gotten him to tell her anything personal about his life. She didn't want to interrupt and make him clam up.

His grin widened, "I was out at night. I was busy burying the body of another one of my murder victims when a hunter mistook me for a deer and shot me down." His tone was clear and matter-of-fact.

"Was it quick?"

Another unexpected response, "Come again?" He paused, looking at her.

"Was it quick, or did you bleed out slowly? I can imagine a gunshot would be painful."

He forced his face to relax back into his trademark smile, and continued walking forward on their path, "Not at all dear, he got me right here," he jabbed her in the forehead with a sharp and heated fingertip. "I do distinctly recall the sound of dogs barking right before the darkness took me. Likely hunting hounds. After that, it was all fire and brimstone." The static interference in his voice intensified at his last few words, another green aura pulsing around him. Elida blinked and it was gone.

"So, you were a serial killer then?"

"Yes. It was quite fun if I do say so myself," He closed his mouth, still smiling proudly, "And I am quite good at it."

"Was!" Charlie interjected nervously, "Was… right?"

Alastor only grinned in response.