Well, this got done faster than I anticipated. Enjoy!

Melody Dear

Chapter Nine

Melody's eyes snapped open as a batch of nearby explosions made the hotel vibrate. She groaned at the sudden awakening before stretching all of her limbs out in front of her. She was sure that animals were more likely to stretch like this than humans, but as she was part bat now, she found herself not really caring. She just wished she had wings to go with her ears and clawed feet. Something about the lack of them made her feel incomplete, even though she had only been a demon for a week.

She sat up as machine guns sounded in the distance, rubbing her eyes with one hand while using the other to support herself. She still wasn't used to Hell's sun, it's white morning light always blinding her when she woke up. It made her grateful for how dark her room was. Melody made a note to compliment Alastor later, then pulled her covers off of her and stalked over to her thankfully-windowless bathroom.

It was roughly a quarter of the size of her bedroom, with black tiles adorning the floors with gold accents around each square. The walls were tiled with white diamonds, with silver accents around each one. There were two lights, and both of them shined bright purple. Unlike her bedroom lights, these ones looked like lanterns with glass balls containing purple fire. Smaller glass balls of the same kind were above her bathroom mirror, only they shined white. The bathtub, toilet, sink, and the bathroom counter were like floors: black with gold accents. She had a shower-head that was also gold in color, and the wall by the tub had a small shelf built into it, was tiled white like the walls, and had all the bathing products she could need.

The only thing Melody was sure wasn't there when she woke up was her shower curtain. It had a beautiful nighttime display, looking up through the petals of colorful trees as bats flew overhead. It looked lovely, but it was clearly meant to be a play on the decor and her appearance.

It made her chuckle. "Real cute, Alastor," she said before running a shower. "Note to self, talk to Charlie and Vaggie about bath products," she said before hopping in. The only bath she took was one Alastor prepared for her, insisting that it would help deal with her fever. She didn't know what oils he added, but it helped her perk up a little. She had to remember to ask him what he used if she saw him today. If she was lucky, maybe he'd be cooking today.

Her thoughts drifted to the previous night. Melody hadn't meant to explain Penny to anyone, and she especially hadn't meant to go in depth with Alastor of everyone about her. The last twenty-four hours only watered the seeds of doubt, the doubt that said that Alastor was a terrible person under his manners and smile. And yet, she told him what she had previously intended to keep to herself. The secret about a bitch that the bat couldn't even remember what she looked like or what she had done.

Melody closed her eyes, turning to let the hot water hit her back. She had heard Vaggie yell at the facility manager a few times while she was sick, screaming about how if they didn't need him, she'd kill him without hesitation. Alastor always laughed whenever she said that to him, saying she wouldn't get close as his voice got even more distorted. She tried to chop that up to her fever making her hear things, that something that did happen frequently over those days. But between Angel, Husk and Pentious, and how they acted around the man, the bat knew that Alastor was bad news. And yet to her, he was the most comfortable person to be around.

A sigh escaped her. Melody had hoped that by vocalizing what she knew, maybe she could convince herself that she needed to create distance between her and Alastor. But when she got to his room, he managed to rope his way into her good graces. Something he was adept in doing with most people, she suspected. But even as she spoke, as she informed Alastor what she figured out, the desire remained. Even with Alastor's warning, subtle and menacing, Melody wanted to be close to him. And went as far to tell him something else she wanted to keep to herself. Her respect towards his authentically bad self.

She let out a quivering breath before moving to clean herself. Charlie's program started for her today, and she wanted to get started right away. The princess was taking time to teach her about how to survive in Hell, then she was gonna show her around the hotel. Melody didn't know what would happen, but she was eager to participate and help Charlie out. She was so damn kind, more than Melody would have thought for the Princess of Hell.

Melody finished up and got dressed. She brushed her still drying hair and teeth in the bathroom, taking the time to make herself look presentable. At least, she hoped she was. She wasn't sure if she was doing a good job or not.

The bat shook her head. "God, all of these damn questions. They're gonna get sick of it," she said, her ears twitching at her sides. She stared at her reflection for a second before spitting out the toothpaste in her mouth. She rinsed off her brush and rinsed her mouth out with water before chugging down a whole glass. She looked back at her reflection, smiling again and seeing her white fangs shimmer in the light.

The scene changed. Just for a second, but the flash was enough to startle Melody. The creature in the mirror as its claw went down her chest. The sudden vision caused Melody to lift her shirt, starting to hyperventilate at the thought of bleeding black. Only, there was no blood. Just her monochrome palette skin and the white bra Angel gave her yesterday.

Had she been in any other mindset, Melody would have wondered how Angel knew what size to get her, or how Alastor knew what to tell him to get her. But instead, she found herself staring at her near-bare torso. The black lines that ran towards her chest came together and formed an image from her stomach to just below her collar bone. It was that of a tree, its roots resting in the pearl gray "ground" at her waistline while its branches stretched out across her porcelain chest and bosoms, leafless and flowerless.

It looked like a painting. It was unique in that way, not to mention beautiful. But all Melody could think of was a black claw that could split the image in two. Of tar-colored fluids draining from her body, while the being who caused it violated her.

Melody shuddered and lowered her shirt. She hugged herself, trying to get control of her nerves. It wasn't real. It was just something her mind created while she was sick. And no matter how frightening it was, it was all in her head. She just had to remind herself of what Alastor said and breathe. Everything was fine. There was nothing there that could hurt her. The Hazbin Hotel was protected, and everyone who resided in it would be kept safe.

A knock on her bedroom door made the bat jump, a small screech escaping her. She held a hand to her chest, panting for several seconds before leaving the bathroom. When she answered the door, she didn't see anyone until she felt a light tug on her pants. Looking down, Melody saw Niffty, a duster in her hand and a warm smile on her face. The sight warmed the bat's heart. She knelt down to meet Niffty at eye level, a small smile gracing her lips.

"Good morning, Niffty!" Melody said.

Niffty waved at her. "Hi Melody! Alastor's downstairs, and he told me to come get you," she told the amnesiac.

Melody let out a small chirp, however it was in contrast to her smile. Alastor had to know that she'd come down on her own, so why'd he send Niffty for her? "Okay then," she said instead, standing straight. "Lead the way!"

Alastor gathered fruit for today's breakfast. He was making crepes, and had sent Niffty to fetch Melody for him. The Radio Demon had decided to teach the girl how to make this dish the previous night. After their conversation, he concluded that he needed to start lowering her defenses sooner rather than later. Normally he didn't care about earning the favor of a new soul, but Melody presented him a challenge he hadn't faced in many years. And where he liked a challenge, she could become a problem without even meaning to. And since she now lived at the hotel, he couldn't take care of her by normal means.

He hummed along to a tune he was playing, grabbing several bowls and a whisk before going back into the fridge. Melody may not be a physical issue, so to speak, but her social intelligence was something that his enemies could exploit. And where her Hell Lessons would serve to deter her from assisting demons like Vox, that didn't guarantee anything. She correctly deduced that Alastor could be a threat by her interactions with him and those associated with him. Plus, she could take his threat from last night and assume the worst. What was to stop her from telling the wrong demon?

If there was one thing that would work to his advantage, it was the respect she had developed towards him. From an honest place, no less. The only other demons who respected him the way she did were Rosie and Zestial. Both overlords, and the latter being one Alastor had to be careful around. However, he got along well with them, and unlike them, Melody was much easier to read and nowhere near as powerful. And in spite of herself, she did like him.

Alastor chuckled as he brought out milk, cream, butter and eggs. This would take time, but the best way was to make her think that they were friends. He could be himself around her, which was wonderful, but Melody wouldn't lower her guard around him. However, he also knew that if he put some of his trust in her, gave her a couple liberties he wouldn't give others, and offered advice every so often, then she'd believe that he genuinely cared about her.

He let out another content sigh. His mother always told him that patience was a virtue, and would be one of the best things he could learn. He was glad he heeded her words, for both his life and afterlife were all the better for them.

Footsteps approached the kitchen and Alastor turned in time to see Niffty leading Melody into the kitchen. The amnesiac was holding the maid's hand, bent over at the waist so Niffty's arm wasn't stretched out in a way that was uncomfortable. He couldn't help himself. He laughed.

"Hello, Melody Dear!" Alastor said, adjusting his monocle before looking back at the housekeeper. "Thank you, Niffty. Now, would you be a doll and prepare the dining room for us? Breakfast should be ready by the time you finish," he told her.

Niffty let go of Melody's hand before looking up at Alastor. "Okay!" She said before leaving.

As she left, Alastor turned to Melody, who was pressing her hands into her lower back as she stretched it. When she relaxed, she greeted him. "Good morning, Alastor," she said, her friendly voice wavering slightly.

Alastor chuckled. "Good morning, Dear. Did you sleep well?" He asked her walking to the pantry. On the back of the door were his and Charlie's aprons, the princess favoring pink and white stripes with a rainbow on her chest. It suited her, but Alastor's darker aesthetic was more pleasing to the eye.

The bat scratched her lower left ear. "I did...until the hotel started shaking," she said.

"Ha ha! Already better. The explosions started going off over an hour ago," he told her.

She shrugged. "Just means the earplugs work," she said, a small smile forming in spite of herself. "So, um...what's going on? Is this about last night, or-?"

His laugh came with a laughing track, rewarding him with a startled screech. "Oh no, My Dear. Why would I be upset about last night? No, I just wanted you to help me make breakfast," he said, picking up a black box with a red ribbon tied around it. He walked up to her and passed it to her. "This is for you, Dear."

The bat's upper ears flattened, but her lower ones stayed upright. She was grimacing, one eyebrow raised as she took the box from him. Her eyes didn't leave him, even as he straightened his back and she untied the ribbon. She stared at him for a few seconds before opening the box and looking at what he had given her. It was a black apron, with an upper portion that was a little wider and more heart-shaped to cover her breasts. In the center, sewn in white, was a crescent moon with a colony of bats flying around it. The bottom corners of the apron also had white bats sewn into them, albeit larger than the ones in the chest design.

Melody stared at it, a low chirp rising from her as she tilted her head and blinked at it. Her ears twitched upwards, and Alastor noticed that she was blushing again. "Do you like it?" He asked, feigning ignorance to her reaction.

Her ears pinned back and a sheepish grin graced her lips. She looked out the corner of her eyes away from him before saying: "I think you already know the answer to that question... But yes, I do. It was very thoughtful of you."

A chuckle escaped him. "Glad to hear it. Now, put it on, Melody. Wouldn't want flour on that new shirt of yours," he said, walking away from her. He knelt down and pushed on a corner cabinet. He could feel Melody stare at him as it moved on the turntable until Alastor found the flour and sugar. He grabbed both of them and brought them to the island in the center of the room. After setting them down, he finally turned to look back at Melody with a relaxed gaze. She hadn't put on her apron, and she still looked confused.

"Something wrong, Dear? Did you not want to help? I didn't mean to assume," Alastor started, turning away and closing his eyes as he brought a hand to his chest.

"What? No, it's not that," she blurted out, having not seen the knowing look in his eyes.

He tallied a victory in his head before looking back at her. "Then what is it, My Dear? Whatever is wrong, you can tell me," he said to her, leaning forward slightly and giving her a small nod.

Another low chirp came from her as she bit her lip. "It's just...are you sure you're okay after last night? I mean, if I were in your shoes, I don't think I'd be happy if someone could point out so much about me, either," she said to him, looking away as her ears fell forward.

Alastor stood rigid, forcing himself to not let radio static out. Dammit, she was good! "Oh that? Yes, that was quite uncomfortable," he admitted, laughing it off as she looked forward. He took in her wide eyes and watched as she released her lip from her teeth. "But I'm not upset about that anymore. After all, you only said all of that because I had challenged you to discover my factors. And you discovered my Life Factors quite well, if I may say," he said, letting out another laugh.

These were all true statements. He wasn't upset anymore, he was worried. She did make the right deductions, and that was interesting at its best, troublesome at its worst. But had he not challenged her, perhaps she wouldn't have looked as hard as she did. Maybe she would have observed everyone more casually. Or, maybe she still would have picked up on everything and just not say anything to Alastor about it. A part of him wished he hadn't done so, but a bigger part of him believed she would have figured him out, regardless.

Melody didn't relax at this. Instead, her body scrunched up, she looked down at the floor, and she held her new apron over her chest. The reaction was innocent and sweet, but undesired. So, Alastor walked over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Besides, Melody," he said, watching her look up at him before continuing. She looked like a child that knew they broke the rules. "You more than made up for that. I can't imagine talking about that woman was pleasant for you. It was very kind of you," he told her, moving the hand on her shoulder to lift her chin.

This was also true. Melody didn't like talking about Penny, even with what little she knew for certain. But, she still told him. She expanded on a subject that she could have just left as a single-worded answer. Perhaps she didn't know it, but Alastor got the impression she did so to make him feel a little better. Maybe, in realizing how exposed she made him feel in the moment, she felt the need to soften the blow by exposing herself? Not a bright thing to do, but still sweet.

Her head perked up a little at that. She didn't say anything, merely took a moment to think before nodding at him. He took a step back as she put her apron on.

"So, what are we making?" She asked him as she pulled her head through the neck strap.

"Crepes with mixed berries and whipped cream," he said. "Now, let's get to it!"

Here we are. Next chapter is already underway. Thanks for reading and I'll see you soon. ;)