"Hey, Husk. Have you seen Charlie at all?" Vagatha asked as she approached the front desk.
By now, it had been a few hours since anyone in the hotel knew where Charlie was. Thankfully, no insanity ensued in that time frame. But still, having the hotel's owner and their boss unaccounted for wasn't the best situation to be in.
"Nope. Sorry, Vag." Husk answered with a surprising lack of expected sarcasm. "The last time I, or anyone, saw the boss was when Angel dragged her away after breakfast." He stated.
"Yeah, I remember that," Vagatha recalled. "I can already guess the answer, but do you have ANY idea why he was so insistent about her going with him?" She inquired.
"Hmm...it's not an answer, but a theory. I'm warning you about that right now." Husk began as he held his chin in thought. "Out of curiosity, have you noticed a sudden shift in Angel's behavior? And I don't just mean attitude; his routine and mood too." He asked.
"I have. Although, I didn't think much of it since all of Hell's been flipped upside down after the Extermination. Everyone, including us, has had a lot to deal with." Vagatha answered.
"Right, sure. But you see, as the guy who sits on his ass all day at the front of the building, I notice practically everything that goes on in this place. From you and Charlie running about like professionals to Nifty zipping and zooming to clean something up. Alastor, whenever he walks through here, either to annoy the piss out of me or to head out for a stroll in the city. Or, most recently, Azrael. Who mainly sits at the desk with me when she isn't meeting and greeting with folks.
But then there's Angel. Before all of this shit started, the dude moved like clockwork despite what he might claim. After breakfast, unless he had plans, he'd immediately come into the lobby. He'd turn on the TV to watch for the day, hang around the desk to annoy me like Al and ask me to pour him more and more drinks as the hours passed. Then, when it got late, he'd strut out of here to work the streets. Mostly for sex. Sometimes to make some delivery for Val and the Vs. Eventually, Angel would come back right as I was about to turn in. He'd be tired, and his feet would kill him, but he never said anything. Maybe there'd be the occasional complaint, but he'd ultimately ask for painkillers and a strong shot before going to bed.
However, after the shit with the missing souls happened, that routine flew right out of the window and hasn't returned. Angel BARELY leaves his room anymore, but I doubt it's because he's sad or something similar. When he does, it's only for meals or to get one drink from me now and then. ONE drink. Not several. On top of all that, Valentino keeps calling the front desk looking for him. Of course, as per hotel policy, I tell him politely that Angel's not coming to the phone, then promptly hang up on that walking sex crime. Yet when I used to tell Angel about those calls, he'd always sigh and reluctantly head out so Val wouldn't get pissed at him. But now? The man's barely concerned. The other day, Angel started making fun of him after getting his drink. And not just with a few small jokes, either. It was like a whole standup routine. He was having the time of his life!" Husk told her.
For a brief moment, Vagatha said nothing. But only because she was so surprised by how drastic that change was.
"Wow. That's...certainly different." Vagatha commented, unable to think of a better description.
"Right? It's fucking weird." Husk agreed with a similar expression of bewilderment. "And you know I asked him about it. Nothing too aggressive; I'm just seeing if I can get ANY info. But that spider swears up and down; it's because of Azrael. With Death Incarnate hanging around the hotel, Val and the Vs won't come near us. So, Angel can avoid doing his job for as long as he wants. Again, he swears that's the reason why he's been acting so unusual. But between you and me, Vag, I don't think he's saying everything." Husk said.
"And I agree with you," Vagatha assured as she folded her arms over her chest. "Especially now that Charlie's suddenly vanished. Something's going on, and we need to find out what." She said.
Suddenly, a portal opened in the lobby. Unfortunately, the duo immediately recognized it as belonging to a certain child of God. Meaning it had nothing to do with their missing blonde-haired leader.
"Oh! Vaggie. Hello." Azrael greeted as she slithered through the rift, it closing after she was all the way through. "What brings you to the lobby?" She inquired, expecting only to see Husk and perhaps a few reporters gathered.
"We were talking, Az." Husk answered for Vagatha as Azrael approached. "She wanted to know if any assholes had come by yet to annoy the shit out of me about you. To which I told her, yeah." He informed her.
"Az?" Vagatha questioned with a raised brow. "Since when did you start calling her that?" She asked.
"Eh...I'd say around...the end of the first week?" Husk guessed, trying to remember.
"That is correct," Azrael confirmed with a nod. "I've noticed how all of you have nicknames for each other. It seemed so fun that I asked Husk to give me one." She informed.
"And the best you could come up with was Az? The same thing Charlie calls her?" Vagatha inquired with an amused smirk.
"Yeah. Because I LIKE spending time with her. Coming up with nicknames isn't as easy as with someone like Al, for example." Husk explained.
"I think you're confusing nicknames with insults," Vagatha commented.
"Same thing, different tone." Husk argued. "Anyway, though. Moving past that lovely bit of trivia. What've you been up to today, Az? Didn't think your business in Heaven would take so long." He asked, changing the topic.
"Oh, it didn't. But remember, I also needed to speak with Lucifer; THAT is where the time was wasted." Azrael answered with a sigh.
"I take it he's still not happy with what we did?" Vagatha assumed.
"Mhm. We got the business part of our discussion done in a few minutes. The hours were spent going back and forth with arguments. If Lilith hadn't been the mediator, I would've wrapped my tail around his neck and thrown him out the window several times." Azrael told them.
"You should've. Had he landed on his head, it might've given him memory loss. That would've made him WAY more tolerable." Husk joked, making her laugh.
"Sadly, I don't think we'd be so lucky," Azrael replied after her chortling. "Although, even if it didn't give him a concussion, it would've kept me from being famished. All that shouting has left me eager for a meal." She said as she moved towards the dining room. "Husk, do you want me to get you something? Have you eaten?" She inquired.
"Yeah. I'm good." Husk responded.
"Wait." Vagatha quickly interjected, making Azrael stop. "Husk. Don't lie. Have you consumed ACTUAL food or several bottles of liquor?" She asked.
"Is that rhetorical, or are you being serious?" Husk questioned, genuinely unsure of which it was.
"I'll get you a sandwich, then. You need to ingest more than alcohol." Azrael said before proceeding to leave the lobby.
After waiting a few seconds for the Angel of Death to be well into the dining room, ensuring she was out of hearing range, Husk and Vagatha would resume their prior conversation.
"Really, Vag? You just had to pipe up, didn't you?" Husk asked, making her roll her eye.
"Hey. Don't blame me for your non-existent diet." Vagatha answered. "Besides, you should be happy. Azrael likes you enough to do something so nice as that. Although, I guess some credit does go to you, too. For not getting on her bad side." She said.
"Yeah, it's because I don't do stupid shit like ask the Angel of fucking DEATH to make me a goddamn sandwich. Do you have ANY idea how stressful this has been? Sitting next to LITERAL death?! One wrong comment or gesture, and she'll poof me right out of Hell into who knows what. If I'm not Mister Pleasant, I'm SCREWED." Husk replied.
"Husk, it's Azrael. She's been nothing but sweet and polite to all of us. I HIGHLY doubt she'd ever be so petty as to do something like to ANYONE." Vagatha told him.
"Hey, you don't know. I'm not saying it's all been an act. But she could have a secret trigger word or phrase that grinds her gears. And if she does, that's it for me." Husk argued. "And while we're on that subject, I'm pretty sure the sudden disappearance of her favorite Niece counts. So, what're we going to do? Because I'm not going to be the one who mentions it!" He exclaimed.
"Calm down. It's not like she's been abducted. Angel's just dragged Charlie off somewhere for...some reason. It's probably for his usual nonsense." Vagatha reasoned.
"Oh yeah? Bet. Call her. Right now. See if she picks up. And when that goes to voicemail, I'll be running for my room, so Azrael gets you instead." Husk challenged, once more making the Latina roll her eye.
"Fine, Mister Drama." Vagatha agreed with jest as she pulled out her cell phone.
With the convenience of speed dial, Charlie's number was called. Ring after ring, no one answered.
"See! I fucking told you!" Husk exclaimed in a panic as he attempted to run from his desk.
"It's only been a few rings," Vagatha said, quickly grabbing onto his arm to keep him there. "Plus, she needs to take her phone out. You are WAY too jumpy." She added.
Right as Husk opened his mouth to counter her, the sound of the call being accepted came from the phone.
"Vaggie?" Charlie's voice spoke from the device. "What's up? Is something wrong?" She asked.
"See? What'd I tell you?" Vagatha rhetorically asked Husk before focusing on the phone. "No, nothing's wrong, hon. And nothing exciting is happening, either. Husk and I were just curious as to where you've been. No one's seen you since Angel pulled you away after breakfast." She told her.
"That's because Angel took Cherri and me out for a spontaneous shopping trip. He's been in such a great mood since he hasn't dealt with Valentino in two weeks. He wanted to express that by hanging out with us." Charlie explained.
"Oh yeah? Then why didn't he invite Vaggie?" Husk asked.
"Because he didn't want to worry about a spear potentially being thrown in his direction at some point," Charlie answered.
"...Touché," Husk mumbled, as that was perfectly logical.
"Do you guys need us to come back? Because we can wrap it up." Charlie offered.
"No, no. Don't end your fun on our account." Vagatha rejected, honestly happy that her girlfriend managed to get out of the hotel for a day. "As I said, everything's fine here. The guests are content or are getting settled in. The media's been shooed off by Husk. And your Aunt's taken care of her business with your Dad so he won't drop by unexpectedly. Enjoy this break from work. You've earned it." She told her.
"Aww, thank you, Vaggie," Charlie said, greatly touched by her lover's words. "I promise I'll make it up to you for not being there. Maybe you can take Nifty and my Aunt for a shopping trip?" She suggested.
"Sure. That could be a lot of fun." Vagatha accepted.
"Ah, yes. Getting cute clothes with the grim reaper. It'd be perfect funeral attire." Husk sarcastically remarked, earning him a swift slap upside the head from her free hand.
"Alright. I'll let you go now." Vagatha said afterward as he began rubbing his head. "Sorry to disturb you guys." She apologized.
"No! Not at all. It was nice getting to hear your voice." Charlie responded, making her smile. "See you later, hon." She bid farewell before ending the call.
And with that, the mystery was solved. In all honesty, an impromptu shopping trip should've been the first thing they considered. Angel Dust LOVED to waste cash whenever he had it in his pockets. Which was undoubtedly a plentiful amount now that Valentino wasn't taking most of it.
"Breathe easy, Husk. Charlie wasn't kidnapped by Angel in a sinister scheme to get ransom from the Lord of Hell. Although, he might force her to wear fairly skimpy clothes in a changing room. And that could be worse than a hostage situation." Vagatha said, quick to mock him for his overreaction and paranoia.
"Laugh it up, Vag. I'll get my opportunity when you step on Az's tail or spill something on her, and you cease to exist." Husk replied as she began to depart.
"Souls can't be destroyed, Husk. Azrael said as much herself~" Vagatha told him, using a somewhat whimsical tone at the end to further taunt him.
"Pfft, yeah, I bet that's what she WANTS us to think. Easier to make people disappear that way." Husk scoffed while she left the lobby.
Meanwhile, On Mars...
"Damn, Charlie. Your bullshitting skills might be better than mine." Angel Dust praised as she put her phone away.
While Olivia explained to Charlie the state the captured souls were in and the full details of how Samuel examined them, her cell phone suddenly started ringing. While that by itself was mind-blowing since this meant they could get cell reception across different planes of reality. When Charlie heard her girlfriend's voice and KNEW she'd have to lie to her, it immediately made her feel uneasy.
"Thank you for the compliment. But I don't think I can appreciate it..." Charlie said with a saddened expression. "I know I couldn't just come out and tell her what is going on and where I am."
"Yeah, because if you did, we'd be here for several more hours." Angel Dust interrupted.
"How long it would've taken isn't the issue, Angel," Charlie replied with a serious expression. "The point I'm trying to make is that I didn't WANT to lie to her, but I knew I had to. And when we DO tell everyone the truth, it'll be hard to face her." She explained.
"Eh, you're worrying too much. Sure, Vaggie might have a spear up her ass most of the time, but she'll fully understand why you couldn't be truthful due to the overwhelming severity of the situation." Angel Dust told her.
"I agree," Olivia stated, joining the conversation. "However, it might be best if we return to Samuel now. Unless you have more questions regarding the souls?" She inquired.
"No, I don't. But thank you for checking." Charlie responded with a smile, in turn making her do the same.
With their business regarding the Demon and Angel souls finished, the trio returned to this facility's tram station. After boarding the vehicle and spending a few minutes in transit, they'd be back at Samuel's building and, soon enough, his office. To their surprise, it wasn't just the mechanical man waiting for them. Doomguy and Cherri were also present, having finished their examination of Demon corpses in a decent amount of time.
"Ey, there you are." Cherri greeted them as they walked in. "Guys, you should've SEEN the shit they've got here. You would not BELIEVE how fucking UGLY some of those freaks are. ESPECIALLY this big fat one that smelled like a sewer clogged with shit." She colorfully described.
"We'll...take a rain check on that." Charlie politely replied before focusing on Samuel. "We need to talk." She told him.
"Are you displeased with how we've handled our guests?" Samuel asked.
"No. After Angel told me what those men did, or rather what they TRIED to do, the way Doomguy reacted was entirely understandable. And I feel the same way about what happened with Olivia." Charlie answered.
"Even though the Exterminators were doing as their occupation entails? You'd still say such a thing?" Samuel questioned.
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but hasn't Olivia already told you about my distaste for the Extermination? She mentioned that she had." Charlie inquired.
"She did. But I like to be certain of things. No room for doubt or otherwise." Samuel stated. "However, that does bring forward a new question. What is it we need to discuss?" He asked.
"My girlfriend, Vaggie, managed to call me from our Hell. Apart from the amazement that she COULD call me, she wanted to know where Angel and I had gotten off to. I lied and said that we were shopping. But I don't want to do that again. She and the others should be brought into the loop like us." Charlie answered.
"Hmm..." Samuel hummed, thinking about something. "Charlie, might I see your phone for a moment?" He requested.
Having no issues with that, Charlie happily handed it over. For the next minute, everyone watched silently as Samuel stared at the device. Presumably, he was examining it in a way they were unaware of.
"...For the most part, there's nothing too special. But some of its parts wouldn't be in a standard cellular device. That could explain how your girlfriend could connect with you from another universe." Samuel suggested as he handed it back to her.
"Really? Just a couple of parts? You sure?" Angel Dust questioned, finding that, of all things, a little hard to believe.
"Without a thorough examination and several tests, I cannot be sure what those additional components do. So, it could be another mystery we'll need to confront God about. Perhaps the space between our universes isn't as grand as we assume. But we'll have to wait and see." Samuel responded. "Moving on to the matter of your other friends and associates, revealing the truth was always planned. We chose to do so with you first, Charlie. Because you are the princess of Hell. And from what we've learned and what Angel has shared, you seemed very reasonable and approachable. Which I can safely say, after meeting you, is accurate." He said.
"Oh, thank you," Charlie replied with a small blush, not expecting such flattery.
"If that's true, why the fuck am I here?" Cherri asked while pointing to herself. "The princess of Hell I understand. But all I do is blow shit up. Why was I brought along for this existential revelation?" She added.
"Angel insisted that you be included. We had no objections, mind you. But he was adamant that if anyone should be among the first to know, it was his best friend." Samuel answered.
"Aw, look at you, being so sweet," Cherri said as she lightly punched the side of his leg, He was standing beside her while she was seated.
"Don't think too much of it." Angel Dust playfully replied as he flicked her on the head.
"As I was saying." Samuel began, getting the attention back on him. "How we reveal our existence to those within your Hell is entirely up to Charlie. Neither me nor my partner care how it is done." He told them.
"Really? You'd let me have that much control?" Charlie questioned.
"Of course. We're not trying to portray ourselves as benevolent dictators. Nor do we plan to force ourselves onto you and your people. We are only concerned about what this discovery entails. Answers are the only thing we're after. We could care less about power or seizure of your Hell." Samuel assured.
"And making sure that ravenous monsters don't tear us a new orifice." Angel Dust chimed in.
"Yes. That as well." Samuel agreed with a nod.
For the next few seconds, Charlie shut her eyes and fell silent. She needed a moment to consider the best (and least painful) way to do this.
"Okay," Charlie spoke up while parting her eyelids. "First and foremost, everyone at the hotel. And by everyone, I mean our friends and my Aunt. Besides deserving to know, like Angel and me, they can help too. That is if you'd allow it." She said.
"Anyone you are certain will be an ally to us is welcome with open arms. We trust your judgment on this." Samuel responded.
"Glad to hear it," Charlie said with a smile before continuing. "Second, the souls need to be returned. That includes the men who tried to violate Angel. My Hell is where they belong. But if you need to study us more, I'd be happy to offer myself in their place." She told him.
"That won't be necessary. We've gathered all the data we can. But should there ever be a need for whatever reason, Olivia has insisted we examine her. She's quite forceful when it comes to being of use." Samuel replied.
"I refuse to stand idly by. Even if I'm still learning." Olivia chimed in for her defense while pushing up her glasses as if the accentuate her point with the action.
"Thirdly, regarding my Dad, we should consider saving him for last when it comes to revealing all of this. We may even want to do it simultaneously as the rest of Hell. I love him, but given all that's happened BECAUSE of this and some other personal stuff, I think he'd be rather hostile and refuse to listen to anything we have to say." Charlie stated.
"Will that be the same approach for the rest of your family that doesn't reside in Hell with you and your parents?" Samuel asked.
"Actually, no. Our best bet after my Aunt is my Uncle Gabriel. He'll be intense, ask a LOT of questions, and demand to see EVERYTHING here for himself. He may even want to have separate isolated conversations with you and Doomguy to see if your stories line up. But so long as you're honest and transparent, as you have been, there won't be any issues." Charlie answered.
Samuel's instant reaction to that was a chuckle. Something that none of them would've expected.
"Forgive me." Samuel requested afterward. "That wasn't due to amusement or something akin to it. I just never thought in all my life that I'd have an experience as outlandish as giving a fully informative tour of my research complex to an Archangel. Even saying it out loud makes it sound as if I'm insane." He explained.
"Hey, I don't blame ya, Sammy. This shit is crazy." Angel Dust replied.
"Yeah. But it's only going to get crazier from how it sounds." Cherri joined in as she looked at Doomguy. "You might even need to give another big red dude a beatdown to convince Charlie's Uncle." She said.
"If that's what it will take, then so be it. As you mentioned, Charlie, we need to be honest and transparent. There is no better way to do that than with a spectacle of violence." Samuel stated, causing Doomguy to nod in agreement.
"Hopefully, we won't need to rely on something so graphic," Charlie told them. "However, we ARE going to need substantial proof for the others at the hotel if we're to convince them immediately. Would it be alright if we borrowed the things you showed us? Maybe a few more, to be safe?" She asked.
"By all means, help yourself." Samuel encouraged, much to her delight. "Olivia can show you all that we have. As part of her studies, she's familiarizing herself with our inventory of specimens and other research materials. She may even know more about them than me before long." He said.
"I HIGHLY doubt that, Samuel." Olivia disputed since she was NOWHERE close to his knowledge yet. "But thank you for the compliment." She added.
"I'm only stating facts," Samuel responded.
With that final statement, the conversation had reached its conclusion. Olivia would guide Charlie, Angel Dust, and Cherri out of the office so they could gather what they needed. Leaving the usual pair alone together to have yet another one-sided conversation.
"...I'm impressed. I'll admit it." Samuel started once the others were well out of earshot. "When you gave me your word that you'd put forth an honest effort to be civil, I didn't think you'd have it in you. Considering the nature of the people we'd be dealing with." He confessed.
In reply, Doomguy signed something to the Doctor.
"Yes. They are vastly different." Samuel agreed. "For starters, a large portion of the population are former humans. Granted, not saints, but still, they aren't Hellspawn." He noted.
In response, Doomguy signed something else.
"Heh, true. Even with Charlie being a clear outlier for her kind, the natural-born Demons and other such entities we've observed are nothing like those of Doom. The most glaring distinction is that they aren't a type of hive mind. All following the command and rule of a singular entity. They each have personalities. Thoughts. Feelings. Granted, they're all quite...repugnant. But that is still a vast improvement over what we're familiar with." Samuel said.
In reply, Doomguy signed a third time. However, it was different from the prior two.
"Hm, an interesting question," Samuel stated as he gave it some thought. "I believe it might be possible for them to change. The presence of true individuality and not a variation or extension of a core consciousness supports that theory. But there is also reason to assume that because they are Sin manifest, perhaps they can never truly be good. We can't use Charlie as an example. Although the daughter of this Hell's Devil, he and her are directly related to God. The good in Charlie could also be in Lucifer, and it is only through his refusal to use that part of himself that Sin, and by extension, their Hellspawn, came to exist within their universe. However, we are currently suspecting that everything is connected. So that train of thought could easily be derailed once more facts come to light." He explained.
Suddenly, the office's door opened again, interrupting their conversation.
"Sorry!" Charlie exclaimed in apology, noticing that she had walked in on something. "I ran back here because I remembered the Grimoire. I'd like for us to return it to its rightful owner. If that'd be okay." She said.
"Hm...that...might be for the best," Samuel admitted after considering it. "Now that we know the power your Hell and Doom uses is the same, keeping it with us is asking for trouble. So, after we're done with your friends and Aunt at the hotel, we'll ensure its safe return to who it belongs." He promised.
"Wonderful! Thank you!" Charlie responded with another of her smiles before hurrying off to rejoin the group.
"Do you want to continue?" Samuel inquired, returning his focus to Doomguy. "Or have we talked about all we need to for now?" He added.
After quickly going through his mind to see if there were any remaining topics of importance, Doomguy shook his head.
"Then I shall prepare things for our eventual departure." Samuel decided as he walked out from behind his desk. "I assume you'll tend to preparations of your own. In the event of an unforeseeable conflict." He guessed.
In reply, Doomguy nodded. He had no intentions of brandishing his weapons or using his fists and strength against anyone. But if someone posed a threat, even if it were a member of Charlie's family, he would not hesitate to show them who they were picking a fight with.