Despite being in literal hell , which was going to take some getting used to, she'd somehow found herself under the good graces of a barista; The odd poeticism of which was not lost on her, for that was exactly what she'd been doing for work before figuratively dropping off the face off the earth for a few weeks and then literally following up on the actions just hours ago- Now, she had no place to go, no money, no home, no friends- She didn't even have a name she could share.

The barista's name was Cyrus, which she couldn't help but giggle at when he drew out the introduction through his teeth, and he'd stopped her when she'd gone to finish the pleasantries.

"A name-s-s-s a powerful thing down here sweetheart, and it's about all you've got right now. Don't go givin' it away."

As the sun rose higher over the horizon, its light fell on the community board set up on the wall across from her, and as the coffee shop slowly began to fill with new patrons she found herself wandering over to it in search of- Something to give her a sense of direction. This one was covered in ads for sex work, parties, and other such debauchery pinned to the corkboard at odd angles with some nastier messages scribbled onto empty corners; An oddly upbeat flier caught her eye, her now steadier hands pulling the laminated paper from beneath an advertisement for "murder professionals" so she could better read it.

"Stay at the Happy Hotel! Take Your Chance at Redemption!"

A lack of pricing and humanitarian wording was enough to convince her to memorize the address, and she scrawled it on one of the bar napkins with a borrowed pen to tuck into her boot just in case her fleeting memory got the better of her on the way there. She got a decent idea of what direction to go from Cyrus, thanking the daytime glow for bringing the once-dark streets into a new light as she ventured out into what she now knew was called " Pentagram City".

The walk to the hotel felt like a jolly stroll after the miles she'd wandered the night before, with most of her time consumed by navigating the confusing streets and taking in the sights of the city. For Hell, it honestly didn't seem all that different than the more downtrodden parts of the city she'd lived in before, just with the horrors she knew lay behind closed doors more proudly on display and the population a far more interesting array of shapes and sizes. Once she hit the crossroads she'd been directed towards, the glaring golden tower she'd seen before looming just a block away it was a straight shot to her destination. Without the distraction of winding streets, her adrenaline was fading fast, making space for anxiety to burn into her chest and weigh down each forward step. She was putting all her faith, as rich as that was, into this "joke of a charity project" as Cyrus called it, and unknown had never boded well for her before. There were promises on what she might find from her barely acquaintance at the prospect, the reptile's only comfort provided by his vague instructions on how to find the place and his mocking parting words.

"Nice knowing ya', hope ya' don't die- Again."

The area felt less abrasive than where she'd fallen into, the risqué marquees replaced with more normally looking storefronts for her to peer into as she searched for the proper address. Finally, she found it, looking up from the tattered napkin in he hands to notice the tacky tower looming above the rest of the area from atop a high hill. She couldn't help but chuckle when she read the sign, comparing the address to make sure she was indeed in the right place despite the change in title before quickly scurrying across the street. The broken gate watched with its ironwork eyes as she climbed the stone path to the front door, the uncanny feeling of being watched growing stronger as she stood awkwardly beneath the marquee. It was a hotel, should she knock? Or just walk in as you would at a normal hotel, slide right up to the desk, and ask for a room? Every second she spent arguing with herself was another spent in uncertainty, another spent without a warm bed or company to keep- Finally, her fingers found the handle and pushed enough to crack open the door.

Muffled piano drifted out from within, her newfound ears pushing forward to better listen as she peered into the tiny space she'd opened into the entryway. The thin stream of light from the outside revealed little of the interior, so with a steadying sigh she knocked the toes of her boots to shake off the outside world and stepped in, the decorative carpet silencing her footsteps.

Inside it was-

It was something.

The lobby was decorated almost solely in scarlet, gold accents just barely keeping it all from being too overwhelming as she took in what she could only describe as an Art Nuevo Nightmare. She was suddenly reminded of all the awful things that happened inside hotels in films but tried her best to remain positive as she crept across the crimson carpeting. Despite the odd décor, it was surprisingly clean inside, with only a few torn pieces of wallpaper and boarded windows to remind her to hold back her hopes that she'd found sanctuary. The door clicked as it closed behind her and she startled at the noise, but it barely disturbed the being collapsed into the concierge desk, if their slightly stuttering snore was any indication. The closer she walked to the only sign of life, the more interesting that front desk became; Hardwood floors branched haphazardly out into the rest of the room, dimly glowing with green light as she tested them with her toes before stepping up into the oddly homey little corner of Hell. The various unlabeled bottles lining the back wall and an empty glass clutched between the desk attendants' claws made her brow furrow, wondering what kind of place would have the front desk double as a bar, but there would be time for that later- Hopefully, the softly snoring winged demon laying across the counter would provide her answers.

They didn't move as she dinged the small bell beside them, not even as she timidly tapped it again; Her voice cracked as she broke the silence, and she winced at how feeble it sounded when echoed back from the towering ceiling.

"Hello?"

Almost instantly, the sound of scraping chairs and footsteps consumed the sound of her voice, and she towards the noise just in time to see the person that came running from around a hallway corner before the demon could catch her off guard with an overly cheerful greeting.

"A guest! Hello!" Standing in front of her was a chipper and incredibly normal-looking young woman in a suit of scarlet, bright eyes darting excitedly over her as she bounced towards the front desk; This demon was blonde, pale-faced, and smiling with more sincerity than she'd seen since she'd arrived. "How can we help you? Would you like a room? How did you hear about us- Oh we're going to have so much fun!"

"I... don't even know where to begin to explain that."

"Fuck- Hun, why don't you give her some space? I think she's a new arrival."

Another woman appeared from the same hallway the first had come from to gently reel back the first; This woman seemed stern, with long white white hair swept across her face and sharp features that regarded her with careful consideration. Nerves began to crawl up the back of her neck as the two looked at her, and the urge to run started to build all over again- Focusing on the next question was the only thing keeping her still even as her eyes flickered towards the doorway.

"How long have you been here?" The stern woman asked.

"Since sometime last night."

"Do you know where you are?" Asked the other, the pin-ponging of questions between the two women beginning to give her a headache.

"Hell, apparently, which is exceptionally funny considering I hadn't believed in it until a few hours ago."

She hadn't meant it to be a joke, but it certainly felt like one.

The two girls shared a look before the chipper one smiled, calmer and more concerned than the peppy grin that had once widened her features- But before she could even finish taking the breath to speak again, another answered instead.

"Quite so! But you are not the first of little faith to be designated a sinner, my dear!"

"What the FUCK is scaring her off with shit like that going to do?" The stern woman yelled.

Turning to see who exactly had joined the conversation and hopefully quell the racing of her heart, her vision turned red; She blinked at the the breast of a sleek crimson suit for a moment as she collected herself before taking a step back and following the stripes upward to it's owner.

"Hello!"

The man standing before her was tall and slim, towering at least two heads above her with a smile that sent a chill down her spine and sunk her heart down into her stomach. Whether the reaction came from the sharp teeth put on display or just a lonely flutter as she took him in wasn't clear to her yet, but either way she was already off to a bad start; This is exactly the kind of shit that had gotten her here in the first place.

"Hi?"

Her voice sounded so small next to his, so soft under the constant string of almost welcoming piano music that buzzed with static. When his voice laid over that melody again and echoed in that old-fashioned sort of way, she realized that music was coming from the demon in front of her.

"We've neglected proper introductions, how incredibly rude of us!" The suit said, bowing slightly at the waist before he turned to gesture to the two women beside him. "The name's Alastor! This charming young woman is Charlie and her waspish companion, Vaga-"

"Vaggie is enough, thanks." The stern woman, Vaggie, cut off Alastor before he could finish, her voice icy alongside the pleasant timber of his.

The only sign that he'd heard Vaggie at all was a sharp tilt of the head that turned quickly into another flourish as Alastor leaned far closer to Clover than should have been socially acceptable- An odd move for someone who had just been going on about manners, she mused. From this proximity, it was easier to see just how sharp the teeth behind the smile were, and she had to swallow the dryness that gathered in her throat at the sight of them.

"And, what shall we call you?" He asked.

Fuck.

She hadn't thought this far ahead, and even though they all seemed nice enough, she couldn't ignore Cyrus's warning. Thinking fast on these things wasn't her strong suit but she hadn't any choice now, and the first good idea she got was the one that would have to work.

"Uh, It's- Clover?"

"How lucky." Alastor's tone was flat, almost taunting.

Clover couldn't help but laugh, knowing she'd entirely set herself up for a new lifetime of jokes about her name and finding herself oddly amused at his knowing grin and cadence. Her smile became more permanent as Alastor held out a hand, grabbing her own before she could barely lift a finger with a sharp tug and shaking it with enough infectious enthusiasm to throw her off balance.

"Pleasure to meet you, my dear! Quite a pleasure!"

"Nice to meet you t-"

She barely got to finish before he'd turned away, rapping on the concierge countertop next to the sleeping attendant with a microphone stand that he seemed to pull out of thin air. The desk demon, abruptly woken from his sleep, sputtered curses at the smiling Alastor that Clover didn't dare repeat. The girls, Charlie and Vaggie, came to stand beside her as soon as she'd regained her balance.

"You don't have to worry about anything, we are here to help!" Charlie grinned, taking Clover's hands into her own.

"That's great, but uh, I don't really have anything to give you guys in return…"

"Nonsense, your patronage is more than welcome and any other issues shall be discussed at a later date!'

Charlie nodded enthusiastically as Alastor spoke, her smile growing wider than her cheeks seemed to be able to manage. She bounced over to the counter herself before holding out open arms, briefly dropping them to pull Vaggie to her side, and finished off the almost clique group photo-op that was the apparent hotel staff standing in front of her with a cheer.

"Welcome to the Hazbin Hotel!"

Deciding to forego commenting on how their flyer did not match the sign outside nor the introduction, Clover offered a polite smile in return. As welcoming as they all were, this situation was still increasingly odd; She felt that more questions might settle her.

"Thank you but- Are you guys like, a charity or something? I feel like that would be a hard thing to keep up with down here."

The laugh track startled her, pulling her eyes back to the red suit leaning casually against the desk and lingering on his smile for a moment before her attention was drawn away again. Vaggie stepped into her line of sight, speaking with more sincerity than she'd heard all day.

"We can tell you everything later, for now, you're welcome to stay here while you get on your feet. Some of us-" Clover didn't miss the pointed glance towards the demons occupying the concierge desk. "Don't remember how vulnerable some people can be when they first fall, especially those who look the part."

Clover felt her new-found ears twitch at the reference, and suddenly felt far less secure in herself than before; Relying on people had never gotten her into anything more than trouble, and as perfect as this place seemed to be, she couldn't help but be cautious.

"I'll repay you somehow, once I get things figured out."

Alastor perked up at that, standing a little straighter and adjusting his lapel but before he could even open his mouth Vaggie turned on him with a growl; He returned the favor with a spike of radio static and a grim smile. He bounced back quickly, leaning back against the bar and gesturing to the interesting creature that had now finished cursing through his rude awakening.

"Husker, my friend, would you please give this woman a key for a room in my hotel!"

" Our hotel-" Charlie said as she linked arms with her, smiling gently. "Is open for whatever you need, don't worry."

"For a bunch of demons, you're very accommodating."

"Well, you're a demon too now! And some of us like to look after our own."

"And some of us are just looking to get something out of it." The concierge said, turning back towards them, key in hand.

The slam of Vaggie's fist against the counter earned a short huff of a laugh from the desk clerk as he sunk into his elbows, propping up his chin in one palm. Clover was able to actually look at him now that he was awake, the man an odd mismatch of wings and fur topped off with the most unamused expression she'd ever seen on a person. He'd been named by Alastor, Husker, but he didn't really seem keen on introductions beyond that- That was fine by her, Clover felt that a little time to herself was needed now. She took the small skeleton key from him with a polite smile, running her fingers over its ribcage before looking at the room number with a soft scoff.

"Thirteen, how lucky indeed."