Charlie was in the middle of a phonecall to a catering company when her father appeared in front of her suddenly.
"Charlie!" Lucifer yelled as he embraced her. Charlie's left arm was pinned to her side and her right was folded where she had her phone at her ear.
"Hi dad. Um yes that'll be great! Just charge it to the checking account I emailed over to you! Thank you and we'll see you Saturday!" Charlie clicked off the phonecall and tried to worm her way out of her father's grasp.
"How is my Char Char doing today?" He asked with a toothy grin. He took a look around and saw some interesting decorations pinned up around the walls of the hotel. Black and red streamers paired with a decorative sign at the bar that read "Talent Show Cocktails!"
"Wait. Are you doing a talent show and didn't tell me?!" Lucifer turned on his heel to face his daughter. She grinned awkwardly and shrugged.
"Well to be honest this was really a last minute planned activity. Still trying to iron out the details."
"Do you need any help? I would love to-" Suddenly a figure appeared very close to him from the shadows.
"There will be no need for that. That is why she has me!" Alastor beamed as Lucifer stared daggers at him.
"Oh well I just figured she would want help from someone that could add a bit of class."
"You must not have heard me from down there. Again, that is why she has me. Your 'help' is not needed."
"Well I believe that would be Charlie's decision and not yours you shark toothed, over hyped piece of-"
Charlie got in between the two men, placing a hand on both of their chests.
"Alright that's enough! I'm already stressed enough with the preparation of this show so no arguing or so help me I'll boot both of you out of here!" Charlie looked at both of them to make sure they understood.
"You're right pumpkin. I'm sorry I stooped so low as to argue with that." Lucifer pointed in Alastor's direction. The Overlord squinted his eyes menacingly.
"At least I'm not the one making my daughter more anxious which I'm sure is the only talent you ha-"
"SHUT THE FUCK UP BOTH OF YOU." Charlie felt her horns sprout from her skull and her fangs elongate. Her crimson eyes glowing at both Lucifer and Alastor. This also drew attention from Husk and Angel that were chatting at the bar and a few decorators Charlie had hired. They clearly didn't expect to see a heated argument between the King of Hell, his daughter and one of the most powerful Overlords. Lucifer looked borderline ashamed that he had pushed his daughter this far and Alastor looked...impressed? Proud?
"Apologies, Charlie. How about you let me take care of the rest of those pesky reservations and you can go upstairs and relax a little. Perhaps practice more of our duet and I'll join you momentarily?"
Lucifer twisted his head around like an owl to look at Alastor. Charlie sucked in air when she realized that she also didn't bring up the fact that she would be performing with Alastor.
"I'm sorry, what duet?" Lucifer said through gritted teeth, his smile matching Alastor's. Charlie grabbed her dads face and made it turn back toward her with a loud pop.
"Dad please. I'll explain everything later but please let me get things settled first, ok?" Charlie looked at him with pleading eyes. She could feel her stress spilling over and she was on the brink of losing it. The last thing she needed was the King of Hell causing a stir for no reason.
"Ok Charlie. But we will be having a conversation later." He formed it as a fact rather than a request. Charlie gave a stiff nod to confirm. With that, Lucifer portaled away.
"Ah father's. So protective." Alastor mused. Charlie groaned in response.
"It wouldn't kill you to try and get along with him just a little."
"You don't know that." Alastor joked, cocking an eyebrow. Charlie shook her head.
"Were you actually serious about taking over the reservations for me? You know that involves making phone calls, right?" Alastor placed a hand over where his heart should be.
"Serious as the plague, my dear. A few calls with this noisy device shouldn't prove impossible for me." He snapped a clipboard to existence and cradled it between his arm and his side. He grabbed Charlie's phone promptly. "You've nothing to worry about. Go upstairs and relax. If you decide to slumber I will make sure to wake you before sunset." He winked at her playfully. The corners of her mouth perked at his mild banter.
"What would I do without you, Alastor?" She questioned as she began to walk away.
"Funny, I ask myself the same thing." Alastor more or less said to himself. He thought Charlie had walked away far enough to not hear it. She stopped in her tracks and turned her head slightly to look at him. Her smile grew larger without her realizing.
Alastor absolutely despised this. Being in charge of everyone and the decorations and the catering was simply driving him mad. Between Nifty running around trying to clean everything while being under everyone's feet and watching Angel and Cherry rehearse their dance, he was going insane. Not to mention dealing with moronic catering companies asking annoying questions. At this point he was hoping someone would shoot another bullet through his head.
"Hey boss. Can I talk to ya?" Husk called over discreetly as he wiped down the bar. Alastor didn't feel like chatting with him but he knew that if he didn't then he would just pop up at a more inconvenient time.
"Make it quick, Husk. I've got more things to accomplish in little amount of time."
"That's actually why I wanted to talk to you. I couldn't help but notice that you've been helping Charlie out a lot more recently."
"Is that all of a sudden a crime, Husker? I am her business partner afterall." Alastor clenched his teeth, his black gums peeking out slightly. The last thing he needed was Husk asking questions. If it got out that Alastor was developing an attraction to Charlie, it would cause trouble for him and for her.
"Nah I mean I get that, but it seems like you've been extra helpful. What're you up to." Husk squinted his eyes, suspicion laced in them. Alastor cocked his head to the side at a disturbing angle.
"Why is it of any concern to you?" Alastor would have to remind him who was in charge quickly before he let something slip. He could usually trust himself to keep secrets under wraps but recently he wasn't sure what he would accidently expose.
"Hey don't get your antlers in a twist. I'm just trying to look out for her, ya know. She's done a lot for us and I wanted to make sure you're not fucking with her." Alastor was secretly relieved to know that Husker looked out for Charlie. He turned his back to the bartender to reply back.
"She certainly has done a lot for the hotel. I can assure you that I wouldn't do anything to jeopardize that. If that doesn't satiate your concern then I would find another way other than interrogating me. Because I might not be in such a good mood next time." Alastor long stepped away from the bar before Husk could ask anymore questions.
He was exhausted and all he wanted was to see Charlie. So that's exactly what he went to do.
"Hey dickhead."
Alastor was just about fed up with this nonsense.
"Your Majesty. What a pleasure." Alastor turned around and looked down to the short twat. It boiled his blood to know that this little nosey weasel had more power than him. His entire existence was one giant punchline at this point.
"Yeah cut the bullshit. What's this I hear about you and Charlie doing some duet?" Alastor couldn't help but grin larger, his teeth fully bared.
"Don't tell me you're jealous. Green isn't a good color on you. Nor is any other color for that matter." Alastor chirped.
"Real cute, asswipe. I'm concerned for the wellbeing of my daughter." Lucifer rebuttled.
"For the first time? How's that going for you? I'm sure you're rusty." Alastor quipped. Before he could blink his eyes he was airborne, landing on a table in the middle of the parlor. Everyone stopped what they were doing and saw Lucifer levitating, looking down on Alastor.
"Let's have a little chat." Lucifer said in a lower register as he teleported them both to the balcony outside. Alastor grabbed the railing for security, his back twinging in pain.
"Noted, the King of Hell is a bit touchy." Alastor joked. Lucifer snarled his upper lip as he made his throat close without touching him. He began to dangle him over the railing with nothing but a 10 story drop below him.
"Listen to me and listen carefully. I don't know what you are planning to accomplish by getting close to my daughter but know this: if you hurt her in any kind of way I will personally invent new ways of torture just to use you as a lab rat for it." Alastor let out a choking sound as he tried to get some oxygen into his lungs. He tried to summon his tentacles to help him escape but odd enough he couldn't materialize them. Must be a block with Lucifer's hold on him. Well that's inconvenient.
"What makes you think I'm out to harm her?" Alastor said in a barely audible voice. Lucifer threw him to the balcony floor with a thud. Alastor pushed himself up once again, his hand to his throat to massage his muscles.
"Because you're a conniving prick who only looks out for himself. All of my seven layers of hell would freeze over before you would do anything out of pure kindness." He pointed a finger at Alastor. "I'm giving you a final warning. Stop whatever it is you're doing with Charlie or I will make you wish you never ended up in hell." With that he lit up in flames and disappeared, leaving behind a battered Alastor that was beyond frustrated with his day.
"Pompous ass." Alastor mumbled as he straightened up and brushed himself off. He went back inside and continued his path toward Charlie's room.