Chapter 6: Everyday is a Winding Road

Charlie knocked on Sophia's door frame and smiled as the woman looked up from her papers. "Hey! Just here to escort you two down the hall for lunch if you're ready?"

"Oh, is it already that time?" Sophia asked while looking at the clock on her desk. "Give me a few minutes to put my work away and I'll be right out."

"No problem!" Charlie agreed before she skipped across the room to let Ren know as well.

Today marked two weeks since the Winners had moved into the hotel and Charlie was in a great mood. The charms for the Winners had been easily made by Alastor (then checked by her Dad of course) and worked perfectly! Sophia had drawn a necklace that Alastor had simply pulled off the page into reality for her charm, and Ren had brought a simple ring. After some clothing swapping from pastels to bolder colors, they looked just like any other Sinner here in Hell. Charlie had set up a schedule between herself, Vaggie, and Alastor to escort the Winners around the hotel; with her father helping whenever he was around. For the first week he had been the one to take them to their rooms every night, but he'd hardly been around lately and it was starting to worry Charlie on how he was doing.

Apparently the last meeting he'd had with Sera had not gone well and he'd stayed at the palace more often than not recently. Alastor had kindly offered to take on the last shift of the night in his stead as the Winners were on the staff floor. Claiming he needed to head to his tower for his evening broadcast anyway, and it was little bother to escort them on the walk. Charlie genuinely appreciated his help. Ever since the battle with Adam he'd really started to feel like a proper member of the team. Sure he was snarky and taunting with the guests and staff as usual, but he was so kind to the Winners!

It made her giddy at the idea that maybe she could redeem even an Overlord like him one day. Vaggie didn't hold out much hope that he had changed at all and told her to lower her expectations, but Charlie chose to be optimistic and take it as a good sign. Plus whenever Charlie started gushing about the hotel and how well things were going, Vaggie got the cutest soft look of happiness on her face that made her heart swell with joy. She could never resist an opportunity to make her girlfriend happy.

The other reason for her good mood was that they had taken on two new guests this week! They now had four full time guests and one somewhat part time guest with Cherri Bomb! The first group session to introduce everyone would be this afternoon and Charlie was so excited for it. Sophia and Ren had been a great help with planning them, but they would finally get to do a real ice breaker activity today! Charlie felt about ready to burst into song with how happy she felt, but settled for humming and skipping about the hotel all day.

She knocked on Ren's door and didn't have to wait long before they opened it. "Lunch time!" she sang at them and Ren smiled fondly at her.

"I thought it might be about that time," they replied and Charlie stepped out of the way so Ren could close the door to their office and join her.

"We're just waiting on Sophia," Charlie informed them as they walked over towards the waiting room door together. Ren hummed in acknowledgement and stopped alongside her to wait. Sophia came out of her room, pulling her hair back up in a clip as she closed the door to her office.

"Charlie, do we have a moment before we go?" Sophia asked, coming to a stop next to them. "There's something I've been meaning to ask your help with."

Charlie tapped her chin in thought, "I think Jax just made sandwiches today so we should be good to delay for a few minutes. What's up?"

Sophia pulled a phone out of her pocket and held it up, "I was wondering if we could discuss getting connected to the network? I know that Hell is on a different cellular system from Heaven, but now that we're staying here, I haven't been able to download the media files that I use in my sessions from time to time. Is there a way we can connect to the hotel network? I don't even see an option for a WiFi network in my settings, but I thought perhaps that might simply be technology not mingling."

Charlie winced, "Oh…so, well, we don't actually have a network at the hotel. Everyone just uses their cell provider because Alastor says it's too much of a risk, and my Dad agrees with him."

Ren raised their eyebrows, "Well this must be serious if the two of them agree on something. What's so nefarious about Hell's internet?"

"It's kind of a mess," Charlie shrugged with a grimace, "Dad has trouble keeping up to date with technology implementation for the Pride ring, where we are, so the Sinners have kinda taken it upon themselves to get things established. Between all the competition and then the issues that each company comes with, I really don't think we should get you phones down here. The real problem though is it's a risk that Vox could get access to the hotel. He's a media demon like Alastor, but he's a TV. He owns the largest television studio, tech company, and cell network in Pride. Plus most of the entertainment district. Not to mention he has some kind of electricity or TV powers."

"Ah, I see," Sophia frowned and tapped a finger to her lips in thought.

Ren hummed, "That name sounds familiar. Vox. Has he been mentioned before?"

Charlie nodded, "Yeah he's the reason we don't have security cameras as well. Besides just being able to take them over, Angel says he can just pop out of a camera anywhere in the building when he's at work!"

"And I imagine he owns or has hired all Sinners that are technology literate?" Sophia asked.

"Probably," Charlie shrugged, "We tend to run at least seven to ten years behind Earth on tech just because it can take time for anyone who knows how it works to die and then have someone figure it all out with the resources we have here. From what I can tell, most of the people that invent that stuff are still living, or end up in Heaven." Charlie finished with a finger pointing up at the ceiling.

Ren and Sophia nodded in understanding, but Sophia's eyes suddenly widened as her hands clapped in front of her mouth almost in prayer. "Yes. Heaven. Charlie, do you think you could send a request to Emily for me? I think I know just the person that can possibly help out."

Charlie bit her lip in thought. Contacting Emily wasn't a problem, but it was sounding like Sophia wanted to bring a Winner down into Hell. Probably not even a therapist like them that was prepared for what Hell might have to offer if they knew technology well enough that she thought they could help. Would Emily allow that? Things had been going really well so it couldn't hurt to ask…right?

"You have a Winner you want to bring down to help?" Charlie asked for conformation and Sophia nodded.

"Yes, they were a former patient of mine on Earth near the start of my practice when my patients were less specialized. He passed away quite recently," Sophia clarified. "We reconnected by chance when he was visiting family in the Calming Homes. It was quite the surprise to see him again so soon given he was a child when I saw him last." She gave Charlie a sad smile and Ren placed a hand of comfort on her shoulder.

Making up her mind, Charlie nodded, "Let's get you both down to the dining hall for lunch and then I'll head up to my room to send her a message. Worst thing that can happen is Emily says no, right?" She said as gave an awkward shrug and a smile.


Emily helped Sophia through the portal before quickly closing it. "Sorry to rush you along, but I really have to get back to the case I was assisting with." They were just outside the extreme care wing of the Calming Homes and Sophia was surprised that Emily was willing to assist her with this on such short notice if there was a patient in there that needed her personal care.

She brushed Emily's apology away, "Don't worry about it at all! You're doing me a huge favor by coming so quickly. Thank you so much."

"Oh it's no problem," Emily grinned and a crash could be heard in the distance from further down the hall. Sophia blinked in surprise at the commotion while Emily winced.

"Is everything alright? I can't remember a new Winner reacting quite so…violently upon arrival," Sophia asked with no small amount of concern. That sort of behavior would be something she would expect of a new arrival in Hell if she was being honest. She looked around nervously at the feeling that something wasn't quite right. Like something was watching them.

Emily sighed as she looked down the hallway before turning back to face Sophia. "Unfortunately, not all of the former Exorcists have been adjusting well to the new schedule and changes to their assignments." She then smiled softly and grasped Sophia's hands in both of her own causing a sudden warmth to flow through her. "It's nothing to worry about though. Go find your friend and let it trouble you no more. I will meet you in your office in about five hours."

Sophia smiled and nodded in understanding before she turned and walked off to find her friend. All of her worries left her the further she walked away as instead she felt filled with the Happiness and certainty that everything would be fine. Emily of course had it all under control. There was never a need to worry.

Not a single concern bothered her for the entire walk toward the long term wing of the Calming Homes. Passing down brightly lit white and yellow corridors and wide glass windows, Sophia simply basked in Heaven's glow and smiled in greeting at everyone she passed. Her halo shining and her aura bright and reassuring. Everything was simply right and wonderful.

"Miss Sophia!"

A voice floated through her serenity and Sophia turned to look at the source. The snake form of Sir Pentious slithered on over to her with an excited smile that she met with her serene one. "Hello, how lovely to see you. How are you doing today?"

"Oh very well, thank you," he replied happily, "I haven't seen you around as of late, and was concerned something had happened." He tapped his pointer fingers together as he frowned slightly.

Sophia kept smiling as she grasped his hands in both of hers. "You are so sweet to be concerned. I'm simply offering more sessions to your friends and will not be around here during that time. Rest assured that everything is fine."

Pentious gave her a squinty eyed look but nodded that he understood. "I see… well I am glad to hear it."

He then blushed as he let go of her hands and pulled a thick envelope from a pocket inside of his coat, "Our meeting is fortuitous though as I was hoping you could deliver this to Miss Cherri for me? Miss Emily has also been difficult to get a hold of and I did not want to mail it to her and risk this getting lost in the post."

Sophia continued to smile as she took the letter from him and placed it in her pocket. "Of course. Nothing would make me happier than to assist you. I'm afraid I must continue on my way to meet with my friend. It was lovely seeing you today." She then leaned forward and gave him a brief hug that he barely returned before she released him and continued down the hall. It was always lovely to see a friend.

As she approached the far end of the long term ward, Sophia entered her code to unlock the doors and entered the secure wing. She waved at the Angels stationed at the assistance desk and continued on until she arrived at her desired room. Sophia knocked politely and then waited to see who would answer. Thankfully luck was on her side as the door opened to reveal the person she was seeking. Gentle piano music poured out of the room as a tall man with light olive skin, hazel eyes, and dark black brown hair appeared in the doorway. His eyebrows raised in surprise to see her and he stepped out into the hall. He was of average build with several ear piercings and wore black jeans and a navy blue t-shirt that had a chemical molecule on it.

"Hey Miss Sophie, it's been a bit. How ya been?" he asked, closing the door gently shut behind him.

Sophia smiled serenely at him, "I am fine, Vince. Thank you for asking. How are you today?"

He tilted his head curiously at her, crossing his arms over his chest. "Oh just another day in paradise. Who could ask for more," he quipped.

"How lovely," she smiled at him and he stared at her, "And your Nonna? How is she doing?"

"As well as she ever is," he cast a glance at the closed door beside them before looking back at her. Vince reached out a hand and grasped her shoulder with a little shake. "Are you sure you're okay? You look a little…dazed. Like how Nonna gets."

Sophia blinked at the jostle and gave her head a shake. Clearing the strange fuzziness she hadn't noticed before. "Oh, I suppose I was. Must be the air here." She gave a little chuckle, "I wouldn't have thought it would affect me like this coming back but I suppose it makes sense."

Vince raised an eyebrow at her and smirked, "You take a vacation from Heaven or something?"

She let out a bark of laughter and saw Vince relax into the door frame. "Not at all, no! I've signed onto an exciting new project. It's actually what I came to find you for. To see if you might be interested in helping out with a part of it."

He looked baffled but curious, "Oh, uh, what kind of project? We both know I'm no artist. Especially after the last time I tried to help you with that group therapy thing." He grimaced and rubbed his neck behind his ear.

Sophia chuckled at the memory, "No nothing like that. This is more in line with your previous work on Earth. We're in need of someone with technology know-how to set up a custom type of WiFi network from scratch."

Vince looked decidedly more confused now, "You need networking help? What part of Heaven is possibly not connected to the…whatever the internet is called here? It's constantly full bars everywhere but back here in the long term ward. They said it's so the patients don't get spooked." He pointed purposefully in the general direction of the receptionist desk to indicate where he got that information from.

Suddenly aware of how exposed their conversation was, (What had she been thinking not insisting they go inside the room when she arrived?) Sophia looked around the thankfully empty hallway before turning to face Vince again. "Can we take this inside? I don't want to disturb your Nonna, but this project is being kept out of the public eye for now. We can go to my office instead if you're interested and don't want to discuss it here."

"Well I'm definitely curious," Vince insisted as he thought about her suggestion. He looked between her and the door a few times before making up his mind with a single nod. "Lemme say goodbye to Nonna and then we can head back to yours." Sophia nodded and waited where she was while he opened the door and walked into the room. Music poured back out into the hall once more as he left the door ajar.

She watched him walk up to a woman that looked close to him in age and appearance sitting at a piano. Her hair contained gray streaks in her loose dark black brown curls however that fell to her upper back compared to Vince's shorter 'high and tight' style haircut. She stopped her playing as he bent down to say something to her. The woman nodded before leaning past him to give Sophia an unfocused smile. Sophia returned it with a little smile of her own and a wave. The poor souls in this ward were truly a bit heart breaking with their damaged mental states and Sophia's own heart couldn't handle coming this way often as a result. Vince squeezed his Nonna's shoulder before giving it a pat and walking back out into the hallway.

"So," he started, closing the door and gesturing that Sophia lead the way, "On a scale of one to ten, just how 'custom' is this project?" He used his hands to make a quotation marks gesture towards the end.

Sophia smirked up at him, "Oh, easily an eleven, but I don't think that it will take a pro like you very long if that's what you're wondering."

He hummed and gave her a calculating look out of the side of his eye, but she mimed locking her lips shut with a key to imply she couldn't say more. Vince shrugged, "Well I'll definitely hear you out at least, but I'm gonna be real disappointed if this is another attempt to get me into grief counseling. I told you I'm fine now. Just bored."

"Well I think you'll find this project to be anything but boring," Sophia grinned and they continued down the hall. A pair of eyes in the distance trailing their every movement.


Charlie and Ren sat in the middle of a semicircle in one of the new activities rooms of the hotel. The chairs had all been pulled from the various round tables about the room that they normally were kept at so that everyone could sit facing each other for today's group therapy. Their phones were in a haphazard little pile between Ren and Charlie's chairs so no one would get distracted during today's session. All five hotel guests plus Husk were in attendance as Vaggie had offered to watch the front. Almost everyone appeared to be casually bored as they listened to Charlie's instructions. Somehow, Charlie was making 'two truths and a lie' sound incredibly boring and Angel looked borderline shocked at her ability to do so.

"Now I'll go first to show you all how it's done," Charlie smiled. She opened her mouth to continue but Angel interrupted her.

"Uh, uh. No way. Let me shows ya how it's really done," Angel insisted, sitting up in their chair. "My record is cumming five times in a single day of shooting-"

"Angel-" Charlie sighed and pinched her nose.

"-I've been married," he continued over her, "And I've won four Sex-X-X-X awards."

Husk scoffed and rolled his eyes, "Please. Like you've ever been married. That lie is so damn obvious."

Angel smirked at him, "That ya final guess, Husky?"

"Sure, why not," Husk shrugged.

"Any other takers?" Angel asked with a grin as he looked around the room.

Cherri punched his shoulder as she grinned, "I'm with the sour puss. Ain't no way you were ever married, you ho."

When no one else spoke up, Angel gleefully made a buzzer sound. "Bzzzt, wrong! My record is cumming six times in one shoot. Yous both gots ta take a shot now!" He looked expectantly at Charlie, "We are playing this with booze ain't we?"

"Not this time no," Charlie awkwardly smiled, "but great effort Angel!"

"Wait, are we just gonna gloss over that you have been married?!" Cherri proclaimed with a grin.

"This is two truths and a lie sugar tits, not share ya life story hour," Angel snarked at her with a smirk, "I ain't gotta tell you shit."

Cherri punched his arm again, "You're sure as shit telling me later, bitch! I can't believe you never told me!"

"So sue me, it was quite literally a lifetime ago. Do I even get anything for winning?" Angel asked as he slumped back over his chair.

"A sense of pride and accomplishment at successfully fooling your friends?" Ren suggested with a smirk.

"Lame," Angel bemoaned.

Ren shrugged, "Alright, how about you get to pick who goes next?"

Angel instantly sat up with a grin, "I'll take it! Oh Husky." Angel crooned the man's name while Husk just gave a world weary sigh.

"I know at least eight languages. I fucking hate cats, and I've been stone cold sober for two months," Husk stated.

"The sober one," Angel snapped a finger at him, "You have a drink with me after almost every one of my shifts."

Husk sighed and spread his hands apart, "Oh no. Guess you win again."

"I'm sorry, but you know how many languages?" Ashes asked, leaning forward in her chair as she stared at him. "I just barely passed French in elementary school. How do you keep it all straight in your head?"

"Just do," Husk shrugged, "Sue la voo or whatever."

Ashes blinked, "Did you…did you just purposefully fuck up saying 'c'est la vie'?"

He smirked back at her while Angel cackled from the other side of the semicircle. "Oh my god, please tell me you said that in front of Smiles at least once!"

"Didn't you just say this wasn't 'share your life story hour'?" Husk asked with a raised eyebrow. "Pick your next victim, Legs."

"Fine, but don't you think I'm forgettin' 'bout this," Angel replied. Miming with one of his hands that he had his eyes on Husk. "Alright, Ashes. Wow us, and it can't be the french thing cause ya just gave that one away."

Ashes moved to sit cross legged in her chair so she could rest her head in her hands with her elbows on her knees. "Shouldn't you pick someone you don't know this time? I think you're cheating by only picking your friends."

Angel rolled his eyes, "Fine if you're too chicken shit then you, fish sticks, you go."

He gestured at one of the newer guests. The man was currently the second shortest Sinner in the hotel as he was just a few inches taller than Niffty. While he was generally humanoid in appearance, he had fish fins that ran from his head down his back and a single tendril with an angler fish style light at the end on his forehead. He wore a dark gray lab coat and goggles at all times leaving the majority of his blueish green skin covered up.

"My name is Baxter," the man scowled.

"Yeah yeah," Angel waved him off, "Let's hear ya facts."

Baxter let out a long suffering sigh. "I am a scientist. I have a fear of large bodies of water, and I cannot stomach consuming seafood."

Ashes bit her lip in thought, "The water one?"

"Nah, I bet it's the seafood one," Cherri said. One arm casually relaxing over the back of her chair. "Though really lame of you to make the first one so obvious like, have you ever looked in a mirror?"

"Cherri," Charlie interjected, "Please don't insult anyone's appearance, okay?"

"It's not an insult!" she insisted, gesturing at Baxter, "He's wearing a lab coat! I'm just stating a fact."

Baxter shrugged, "She is correct on both accounts so it hardly matters."

"Fuck yes, my turn!" Cherri exclaimed, "Alright, let's get the other newbie outta the way. Give us your deets, devil boy."

The final new resident scoffed and rolled his eyes. He was tall with long black horns, a deep gray skin tone, and a whip-like tail. The torn jeans, leather jacket, and tank top he wore were stained with black and brown smudges and splatters. "I can't tell if you're just being a bitch, or if all those explosives have fucking scrambled your brain."

Cherri grinned threateningly and pulled out one of her bombs, "Wanna step outside and find out?"

"No, no, no," Charlie rushed over and took the bomb. Cutting the fuse to stop it from exploding. "No bombs, and no fighting, Cherri. You promised for just today, remember?"

"Ugh, this place is such a buzzkill," Cherri rolled her eye and slumped back down in her chair.

Charlie turned back to the man with a smile, "Okay, Axel, the floor is yours."

"Alright, let's see you hotshots figure me out," Axel boasted with a smug grin, "I own a classic 65' Hi-Po Mustang. I can fix anything with an engine, and I'm allergic to peanuts."

Angel and Cherri both started laughing and Husk had a knowing smirk by the time Axel finished, making him glare at them as smoke started pouring out of his nose. "What's so fucking funny? Can't figure out the lie?"

Angel wiped a few tears from the corners of his eyes, "Oh man. When Charlie said ya were new she meant ya were fresh of tha boat new. Holy shit."

"Ya can't get Earth shit in Hell, ya idiot," Cherri grinned, "Nothing as big as a fucking car at any rate. What a shit ass lie."

Axel fumed, "I had one when I was alive! It still fucking counts as true!"

"Uh, no the fuck it does not," Angel countered, "You said 'own', as in ya currently have it. That shit was probably sold to bury your sorry ass."

"Does that make the peanut allergy the one you actually lied about?" Ashes asked him with a look of disbelief. "That was the best lie you could come up with? An allergy?"

Axel gestured to Baxter, "His lie was about a food he didn't like! How is mine worse?!"

"Because he's a fish man and it would make sense if it made him feel weird to eat seafood now," Ashes replied like it was obvious.

"Whatever," Axel huffed and crossed his arms, "You actually guessed the right one though so you can go I guess."

Ashes rolled her eyes and gestured a hand at Cherri. "Just you and me left, so have at it."

"Watch how it's done bitches," Cherri proclaimed as she tossed her hair back with a flourish. "I was a professional dancer. I can absolutely shred on the guitar, and I can lift an entire car without breaking a sweat." She leaned back smugly in her chair and grinned at everyone.

"I bet you suck ass on the guitar," Axel said with a bitter frown.

Cherri smirked, "If you think that's the lie, then you really wanna be talking shit to someone who can toss yer ass like the lightweight you are?" Axel glowered at her but didn't speak up. "Yeah that's what I thought, bitch."

"Cherri," Ren said, "Please stop trying to pick a fight with Axel until after the group time. The same goes for you Axel." She rolled her eye and muttered 'fine' while Axel just sulked.

"Yeah if ya wanna hop on that dick I'm sure yous two can hook up later," Angel grinned and wiggled his eyebrows at her.

"Pft, he wishes that I would fuck him," Cherri scoffed.

Charlie smiled awkwardly, "OOookay, let's try and get back on track everyone."

"It's the dancer one," Ashes said confidently. "You're really graceful so I think you maybe took classes or did it for fun, but you don't have the muscle memory of someone that had routines and poses drilled into them for years."

Cherri shrugged, "Yeah alright. The pro would be able to spot that. You're the only one left though babe, so congrats on the self own as you still have to go now."

Ashes drummed her fingers on her chin as she thought for a moment. "I had a pet cat that looked like my Sinner form that I ran over by accident and killed. I'm double jointed, and I died a virgin."

Angel grinned, "Oooo, nice ones. Little kitten's got some bite after all."

"Normally I'd say the first one is a lie," Husk raised an eyebrow at her, "Too much detail is an easy give away, but given the fucked up nature of our forms it's just likely enough to be true."

"That your guess?" she smiled calmly back at him.

Husk stared at her for a moment, assessing her with a calculating look. "No. It's the virgin one. No way a virgin ends up with a soul contract in the sex industry as soon as they manifest."

"I dunno," Cherri looked suspiciously at Ashes. "I've seen plenty of virgins make that mistake thinkin it'll keep them safe from something worse." Angel nodded solemnly next to her. "I think it's the pet one. Like Husk said, it has too much detail to be true."

"Any other guesses?" Ashes asked as she looked around the room.

"You aren't double jointed," Baxter stated. He turned to look at her as he continued. "The best way to play this game is to hide the lie in a believable truth. As a dancer, one would assume that the statement that you are double jointed is an easy truth as it would help with your profession, but it is not a requirement for said profession. Ergo, logic states it is the believable lie."

Ashes nodded, "You're right. Good spot."

"Damn, that's dark about your pet, kid," Husk said and Ashes just shrugged in a 'what can you do' gesture.

Charlie stood up and clapped her hands together with a smile, "Alright! Great job everyone! Wasn't that a fun way to introduce ourselves?"

"It was one of ya better ideas," Angel admitted.

Ren passed Charlie a squishy red ball which she gladly accepted. "Alright, now that we all know each other a little better, let's move on to today's group activity!" She held the ball in her hand for everyone to see. "We will all take turns holding the ball. When it's your turn I want you to say something nice about the person who passed it to you, something nice about yourself, and how you're currently feeling."

"Wait, that other game wasn't the activity?" Axel asked. The disbelief clear in his voice, "How long does shit go on for?"

"Just be glad ya weren't here for tha first roleplay night," Angel remarked before smiling seductively at him, "Or maybe you're into that kind of thing, baby boy."

Axel made a disgusted sneer and leaned away in his chair, "Not with you I'm not."

"Oh please," Angel said dismissively, "What're ya too afraid you'll like it?" He finished with a wink, "You would be so lucky to hook up with a famous actor like yours truly."

Charlie cleared her throat, "Okay! Let's shelve that for much, much later and get started. I'll go first!" She smiled and held up the ball to begin the session.


"Sorry I'm so late!" Emily apologized as she walked into Sophia's office.

She was truly at a loss for how best to help the Exorcists that kept holding onto their Wrath about the Exterminations ending and the disturbing Glutinous need to continue them. After all these weeks of attempting to take on the burden of healing them, she had finally decided to pass off the worst cases to Sera. Her Heavenly Sister had commissioned them after all and Emily felt it was only fair that she assist with setting them on a more virtuous path.

The two Winners looked up at her entrance. They were seated at Sophia's desk and two trays with dirty dishes sat stacked on top the desk between them. Sophia smiled, happy to see her, but the other soul merely took a sip of their drink and looked her over. Emily winced at realizing just how late the hour was. Sleep was optional for a being like her, and she sometimes forgot to keep to the human twenty four hour time clock.

"That's alright," Sophia insisted, "No apologies needed. It gave me extra time to explain things to Vince." She gestured at her guest, "Vince, this is one of the head Seraphims, Emily."

The man made a sudden choking noise as he seemed to inhale his drink. Emily and Sophia made concerned sounds as they both moved to assist him but he waved them off. "I'm…I'm fine. Just uh, went down the wrong pipe. Shit. Uh, hi?" He looked up at her before grabbing a napkin to wipe up the drink he spilt on himself.

Sophia, still looking a little concerned, continued with her introductions. "Emily, I'm pleased to introduce you to a former patient of mine, Vince. He used to head the Networking and Communications department for the company he worked for on Earth. I thought he'd be perfect to help set up the hotel's internet systems."

Emily's eyes lit in remembrance of this morning's conversations. "Oh yes! I remember now! Sorry, it's been quite a long day." She walked further into the room to stand beside Sophia's desk and smiled down at him. "Do you think this is something you'd be interested in assisting with? And if so, how long do you think it might take?"

"Well I'm definitely interested," Vince said, setting his soiled napkin aside and putting his mug down. "I've been telling Miss Sophie that…well lets just say I've been feeling restless and looking for a project." He shrugged, "This one sounds leagues better than any other I've come across to be honest. A hotel to redeem people in Hell? Sounds like a great idea to me. I've always been big on second chances and personal growth. I'm shocked y'all are even allowing it though." He nodded his head towards Emily and she winced.

"Truthfully…the council didn't approve when Princess Charlie came to us with the proposal a few months ago," Emily began. "It took having a Sinner get redeemed and appearing before myself and Sera before they would allow me to submit my petition with the new evidence. Even then it was pretty close."

Vince hummed and leaned back in his chair with a smirk, "Not even heaven runs on just faith, huh? I know some people that would be shocked to learn that. As for an estimated time table…" He fiddled with something in his mouth as he thought. "Probably two weeks? Maybe three? Miss Sophie said the hotel was fourteen stories tall, but I'll need to calculate the coverage area and see what the provider options are before I'll be able to get an idea on what tech and software I'll need."

He looked up at Emily with a questioning gaze. "I've been assuming I'd get that supplied from here, right? Rather than risk who knows what quality hell has."

"Oh of course," Emily agreed, "You'd be welcome to take any supplies you need from Heaven, or I can see about acquiring them if you wish to stay at the hotel while you work."

Vince blinked in surprise, "That's an option? I know Miss Sophie is staying down there, but she's a long term staff member. I thought this would be a quick overnighter for me today. But, uh, yeah sure I can stay at the hotel. Can't be worse than my wilderness survival trips in scouts." He ended with a half shrug and a smile.

"Great! If you're both ready, why don't we head down now?" Email beamed at them. Excited at a solution to Sophia's problem being acquired so easily. Sera likely would frown at her, but the short term window of his addition along with the success of the Winner's safety so far should please her Heavenly Sister.

"Sure." "Of course."

Sophia added Vince's mug to the tray of dirty dishes before sliding the entire tray into the recycler. They vanished immediately as they were instantly transferred back into basic matter and dispersed into the ether. Ready to be reformed to suit any Heavenly need again. Vince walked over to the nearby loveseat and grabbed a backpack with a single strap that he slid over his head to settle across his chest as he walked back to Emily's side.

Once they were both ready, Emily waved the portal into existence; connecting Sophia's office to her usual arrival spot in the waiting room in the hotel. She hopped through and turned to watch as Sophia quickly followed behind her. Vince stood on the other side, blinking in disbelief a few times before a wide grin stretched across his face and he stepped through the portal. Emily smiled indulgently and watched as he circled around it once before she waved it closed. It disappeared with a small 'pop' and Vince turned his grin towards her.

"Okay that was really cool."

Emily giggled, "Well I'm glad you think so."

"Eh, you get used to it." A voice spoke up from the corner and Emily turned to see Vaggie close her book and stand up out of her chair. "So is this the guy Charlie was talking about?" She looked at Sophia who nodded.

"I'm surprised she's not here waiting for us," Emily admitted before she winced, "I'm so sorry for the late hour of our arrival."

Vaggie waved off her concern and smiled, "It's fine. She had an exciting day so she had a just as exciting energy crash not long after dinner. I promised her I'd wait to escort Sophia back to her room at the very least when I tucked her into bed." She shrugged with a light blush on her cheeks before her eyes lit in remembrance. Vaggie pulled out a lovely and intricate beaded necklace out of her pocket that she passed to Sophia. "Ren passed this off to me for you," she explained.

Sophia smiled, "Oh yes, thank you." She opened the clasp and fastened it behind her neck. Emily watched as Vince's eyes widened in delight when Sophia's Heavenly appearance was replaced with a more muted Sinner one.

"Nice. Do I get one of those now that I'm staying for a bit?" he asked.

"Wait, you're staying?" Vaggie asked. She turned to look at Emily. "As in joining the project? Charlie didn't say anything about another full time guest. We don't have a room prepared."

Vince shrugged, "I'm really not picky. Just give me a room and a clean bed and I'll be fine."

Vaggie pinched her nose in frustration, "Justo lo que necesitaba. No, we need a warded room for Winners. It's part of the rules to make sure none of the Sinners try to hurt you."

"I thought they were all here to get redeemed? Why would we need to worry about being hurt?" Vince asked with a raised eyebrow.

Sophia placed a hand on his arm, "Some of them have been down here for decades and from what I've been told it's quite violent out there. Habits like that are hard to break so it's just a precaution that we all agree is worth taking." She turned to look at Vaggie as she let go of his arm, "He can stay with me for the night. If that's alright?" Sophia looked between Vince and Vaggie questioningly.

Vince shrugged, "Fine by me. I can camp out on the floor or a couch."

"Let me see if I can get ahold of Niffty," Vaggie sighed and pulled out her cell phone. "Maybe she can let Alastor know we'll need another charm to disguise you with as well once he's not on the air." She gestured in the direction of his halo as she held the phone to her ear and walked a little ways off.

"On the air? Like some kind of TV or radio broadcast?" Vince asked and looked at Sophia. "I thought you said the Alastor guy was the facility manager."

Sophia nodded once, "He is, and he also runs a radio station here in Hell. Charlie had her father add a smaller radio tower onto the hotel to accommodate his time slots easier. I believe the main station tower is quite a distance from here."

"And he made the necklace that hides your angelic features? That's pretty dope."

Before Sophia could say anything more, a small blur burst into the room and stopped in front of Vince. "Hi, I'm Niffty!"

He took a step back and looked startled before a smile slowly formed on his face. "Well hi there. Nice to meet ya." Niffty grinned at him with a full set sharp dagger like teeth and he held up his hands in a defensive position. "Okay, and we are a bit more horrifying than cute now. Noted."

Emily stifled a giggle behind her hand at his reaction. This was such a nice reprieve from her day and she basked in how it lifted her spirits. Working on this project was so rewarding it made the headache of the Exorcists worth it.

Niffty circled around the poor man for a few seconds before tapping her chin in thought, "You're another goody goody, but at least you're a man this time. I'll leave a mattress and some extra linens in Sophia's room for you." She dashed off just as quickly as she appeared, and Vaggie stepped up in her place.

"Sorry if she rattled you," Vaggie grimaced, "Niffty is the one lady cleaning crew here. She's got a…thing for bad boys. Well…men in general but bad boys in particular. Don't take it personally if she doesn't warm up to you right away. We just got two new Sinners checked in this week and I think she's eyeing them up."

Vince chuckled, "No worries. I think I'll survive the blow to my ego of not meeting the little demon lady's kink criteria."

"Will you both be alright from here?" Emily asked the two Winners. "I should head back and update Sera on how the day went unless you need me for anything?"

Sophia smiled, "Oh I'm sure we'll be fine. You go take care of what you need and I'll tell Charlie to contact you in the morning so you know we're all settled."

Vince pointed his thumb at Sophia. "Yeah, what she said."

"And I'll take 'em both back to Sophia's room. Niffty said she'd let Alastor know about the charm," Vaggie said as she gestured at the door to the waiting room. "So we're all good here. Charlie said to tell you thanks again for the last minute help today by the way."

"Oh I'm happy to have been of assistance," Emily smiled. "Well I hope you both have a good evening and I'll see you before the week ends!" She waved a portal back to Heaven into existence and waved goodbye as she hoped back through it.


Notes:
Nonna = Italian for grandmother
C'est la vie = a common French saying that means 'that's life' aka 'it is what it is' or 'that's how it goes'.
Justo lo que necesitaba = 'Just what I needed' in Spanish