Chapter Six: Baxter
With her assignment given, Emily headed over to Baxter's room to set up a 'get to know you' meeting, but after knocking several times he still had yet to answer. Emily opted to text Charlie to see if she knew his whereabouts. Turns out he'd holed up in the basement where she'd given him the go ahead to conduct his 'experiments'.
The basement entrance has next to the main staircase, and Emily found the door thankfully open. It was Charlie's property, so it wasn't like Baxter had access to the keys. He'd just been given the space since his room wasn't big enough for all his tools and materials. Angel had joked that Baxter was setting up a meth lab, but apparently Vaggie had a nose for narcotics.
Descending down the stairs, Emily was amazed by how much work Baxter had accomplished in only two days. The far back wall was covered in screens of various sizes, with each monitor possessing a different angle of the grounds around the hotel. Multiple long tables had several different vials and glasses filled with multicolored fluids and vague solids. The floor was segregated by crisscrossing cables that gleamed with flickering lights running down the sides.
The lights shining from low hanging lamps cast an electric blue glow, giving the makeshift lab a spooky mad scientist vibe. Seated in front of the cameras was Baxter, fast asleep in a large chair that dwarfed his own size greatly. Spinning the chair around, Emily paused just before rousing the demon from his sleep. Without his shifty eyes, and fidgety posture, Baxter seemed rather at peace.
Finding the rare sight kind of cute, Emily stifled a giggle while gently shaking her assigned guest lightly. Baxter stirred slowly, and when his eyes opened he pressed himself against his chair with a surprised yelp.
"GAH, where did you come from? Why are you in my lab?" he babbled out.
"Sorry, sorry, I just wanted to schedule our first meeting together. Charlie decided to take things slow at first so you don't get overwhelmed too quickly." Emily explained.
"Ah, I can see the logic there. Please pardon my lack of decorum, I have a thing about personal space, please?" Baxter coughed awkwardly, gesturing to Emily's closeness to him.
"Oo, I see what you mean. Then from now on I'll make sure not to intrude into your bubble."
"Right, so I'll not be attending any meetings consisting of the other guests or patrons, then?" Baxter inquired changing the subject.
"Don't worry, we'll start out with just you and me, then bring in one more person like Charlie or Vaggie, then introduce you to Angel Dust. Eventually you'll be getting along swimmingly."
"Swimmingly, seriously?" Baxter pointed to his amphibian features.
"OH, I'm so sorry, I didn't' mean to-" but a Baxter waved her concern off with a small smile.
"I'm kidding, I don't really care. Just as long as I'm allowed my scientific pursuits in peace, I'll have no complaints." Baxter finished.
Emily nodded in understanding, then easily peered over him to look at the various monitors lining the walls.
"Out of curiosity, what exactly is all this for?"
"Aw, well I brought up that my studies have been the source of much interest to various tech companies and overlords to Miss Morningstar. She offered asylum as well as the chance to conduct my experiments in peace, so in exchange I revamped the security surrounding the hotel." Baxter explained elaborately.
"Okay, I can appreciate the work you've done for us, but what is it that the overlords find so fascinating about your 'experiments'?"
"Put simply, I reinvented the ancient study of alchemy for the modern era. Love potions, elixirs that speed a sinners ability to regenerate, as well as a concoction that can make one completely immune to demonic magic." Baxter spoke proudly puffing his chest out. It reminded Emily of how she used to be so proud of her work bringing joy to the Winners above.
"That's really impressive. You know I actually met Nicolas Flamel. Not an actual immortal by the way." Emily winked. Baxter's eyes widened for a second, then he leaned forward slightly as to try to discern if the angel roughly twice his height was genuine.
"I mean I figured, but did you ever learn any of his secrets. Gold has no value in Hell, but to transmute any substance into another could be an incredible advantage over any other mind in the Inferno." he said growing more exited.
Emily grinned, happy that she was getting Baxter to come out of his shell. Good thing angels had perfect memory.
An hour later, Emily left her newest friend in Hell to put apply all the years of knowledge she'd gained from Lesser Heaven's greatest scientific minds to his studies. Once the topic of science came up, the aquatic demon managed to open up incredibly well, even if he was still somewhat sensitive about meeting the other hotel residents just yet. Still though, it was an angle that Charlie would be able to use to reach him a lot more easier.
Coming up to the main foyer from the basement, Emily was happy to see Vaggie and Angel Dust wrapping up their personal one-on-one session. The two rose from the couch, then Angel actually pulled Vaggie into a quick one armed hug, then quickly shuffled over to the bar where Husk gave his friend a knowing grin. Vaggie saw Emily walking over and pointed over to the elevator.
Changing her course, the seraph joined her fellow angel as they stepped in and Vaggie pushed the button to go to the floor with Charlie's office.
"Something wrong?"
"Not really, it's more like Charlie wants us to come together to put a full schedule together since we're tackling sessions with each sinner individually."
"Okay good, Baxter is comfortable with Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. I think an hour or two will be enough to get to know Baxter, then persuade him to stop making love and paralysis potions for the Vees."
"Shit, I figured his 'experiments' would have some fucked up uses. Still, if the angels attack us then he can supply us with healing potions, but I have no idea if they can heal wounds by angelic weapons."
Emily rubbed her arms uncomfortably, not sure if she yet had the stomach to face her own people in armed combat. She felt a hand on her shoulder, and turned to see Vaggie's beautiful smiling face.
"If it comes down to it, we will have to fight, but that doesn't mean we'll just wipe out everyone. Lucifer has mentioned that Seraphiel is the most reasonable, and that Azrael doesn't like wanton death. We just need enough allies to push against Yaldabaoth, and thanks to you we can be ready for him."
With every word Vaggie wormed her way deeper and deeper into Emily's heart, nestling right next to where Charlie already was. At this point it was hard to deny that the angel in blue was completely enamored with both Vaggie and Charlie. Only question was, would they accept her, or was she intruding on something that Emily had no part of.
Looking away from one of her paramours, Emily felt her golden blood rush to her cheeks and warm her entire face. If anyone got a good look at her, they'd see her silver skinned face completely lit up with a lustrous blush. Emily's heart was practically skipping beats at the sight of Vaggie simply smiling her way.
The elevator digged and as soon as the doors opened, Emily hurried out and tried to outpace Vaggie with a slightly rushed canter. They made it to the main office then knocked twice rapidly.
"Come in, I've got good news, I think."
"Hun, everything good with you?" Vaggie asked when they stepped in. Charlie was awkwardly pacing back and forth, with a large envelope in her hands. Glancing at one another, neither angel seemed to have any idea what was bothering the princess.
"So I worked out the days that Baxter was comfortable with meeting each one of us."
"Same, Angel's actually very open to the idea of 'no more dumb group Sunday school bullshit'." Vaggie laid out the days of the week for Angel, and Emily did so for Baxter.
"So Baxter gets Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Angel has Monday, Friday and Saturday. We'll use Wednesdays for the three of us to put together new lesson plans and activities. That works pretty well for us." Charlie put all the information into her computer, then emailed it to her coworkers.
"Kay, so what's the envelope for Charlie?" Emily asked glancing at the green mail on her friend's desk.
"This is from my dad. Two tickets to the fiftieth anniversary of Lu Lu World. The massive theme park that my father made for the hellborn as a gift for helping him keep the lower rings more stable. It's located in the Gluttony ring and is very popular."
"The one from the picture I saw of you and Vaggie?" Emily questioned.
"No, that was Hellsney, one of my mom's projects. It was when I confessed my love for Vaggie." Charlie sighed happily while Vaggie blushed gold. Emily felt her heart equal parts swell and ache at the same time.
"That sounds beautiful, but I bet Lu Lu World is also very fun, I mean Lucifer seems like a guy that can put on a show if half the things I know about him are true." Emily gushed.
"Pretty much on point, but this time I'd have to inspect the stalls, check the rides, and make sure the staff is running the place properly. I don't need a ticket but they sent two anyway, so I figured it might be something you could try. A chance to meet more of the hellborn, pitch the hotel, and enjoy one of my dad's biggest creations."
Charlie's explanation made sense to Emily, but Vaggie pointed something out she'd missed.
"Wait so would I need a ticket, and if I do then who's going to watch Emily if I'm with you?"
"I don't need a bodyguard Vaggie, a seraphim is more than powerful enough to handle most demons. But I am curious who rules over Greed?" Emily's question made Charlie cringe somewhat.
"Mammon. On one hand he can put on a show and push a product. On the other he's hyper exploitative and can really run his workers into the ground for the sake of profit. Between Mammon, Satan, and Leviathan, my parents really made sure I was kept pretty far away from them."
'Wrath, Greed, and Envy.' Emily thought, viewing those sins as the most inherently selfish and deadly.
"Sounds like a tough customer, but trust me. He'll be busy selling the park to you, and Vaggie can make sure everything is on the up and up. I want you to believe I can handle Hell. Please Charlie?" Emily pleaded, her big blue eyes wide.
Charlie briefly felt her chest constrict at those gorgeous pools pouring into her soul. She loved Vaggie unconditionally, but lately it was getting harder to deny the angel's irrefutable charm. She made a mental note to talk to Vaggie about this personally.
"Okay Emily, but I need you to promise to keep your phone on you and respond to my texts at least every half hour. That may be frustrating but Hell is hazardous and I just want you to be safe. You mean a lot to me."
Emily's face again flashed gold, and she nodded and looked away. This time though Vaggie caught her blush, and felt heat in her own cheeks. Emily was adorable when she was flustered and Baphoma's words were ringing in her head. Emily was crushing on Charlie, and deep down, Vaggie was starting to feel strongly for her fellow angel.
'Note to self, talk to Charlie about these messed up feelings. I trust her, but better get this all out of the way before things get out of control.' Vaggie thought.
With everything in agreement the three made plans to head down to Greed and given it was a Wednesday, their scheduling came together perfectly for them. Alastor was put in charge of managing things, and Emily explained to Baxter that they wouldn't be meeting the next day. He was fairly understanding and wished her a fun vacation, but also warned against buying carnival food.
"Terribly unhealthy that filth is and I find the games far too expensive for the meager prizes." Emily didn't' counter even if the ticket said most expenses paid. They'd still have to find a hotel to stay at once the park closed, but only for about six hours and Emily didn't technically need to sleep.
After Razzle, who'd been more than a little skittish around Emily since her arrival which was a painful adjustment for both, pulled the limo up to the hellevator, the seraph had to hold her stomach as she felt the ground beneath her start descending.
"OH this feels really weird!" she cried holding her stomach in the backseat. Charlie quickly scooted over and began to rub her back.
"Yeah should have warned ya. Just try to remember what flying feels like and hold your mouth closed." the princess whispered soothingly. Her presence did help a bit, even if it was embarrassing for Emily to be getting carsick in the arms of her secret crush.
Unbeknownst to the two Vaggie was quietly in-between pitying Emily or worrying about the seraph taking advantage of her situation. The latter did dull a bit when the ride stopped and the silver angel pulled from Charlie's grasp and scooted over a smidgen. Vaggie knew that Emily wasn't the manipulative type, it was just hard to put instincts aside.
Finally they arrived in Greed, and the limo pulled away into a disgusting green city. Grime and muck clung to every wall and there was litter all over the streets and even on some of the buildings. It honestly made Pride look presentable, and that city had places on fire.
"I can't believe that this is the ring associated with wealth. Everything looks so dreary and unfunded." Emily muttered in disgust. Charlie sighed and looked into the road with a forlorn expression.
"The sin of greed means amassing as much wealth one can individually, and since Mammon rules the ring, all currency eventually lands back in his possession. It doesn't matter how miserable or impoverished his people become, as long as he gets to live lavishly."
Turning through one corner to another, Emily saw several residents simply sitting on the streets wandering about aimlessly. That's when a thought occurred to her.
"The Hellborn have souls right? What if we pitched the hotel? It may not have the size for all of them, but it would house those that lack homes of their own." The second these words left Emily's lips Charlie's face exploded with glee.
"That is an amazing idea Emily. I'm pretty sure the Hellborn can enter Pride without issue, and it will be another way to prove that anyone in Hell can be redeemed!" Charlie's bright smiling face was all Emily needed to fill her heart with an unbearable amount of love. Even Vaggie smiled, happy that Emily was able to bring so much joy to her beloved.
Actually, Vaggie could feel the same flicker of affection she first felt for Charlie that night after Lute left her for dead, now burning as she gazed into Emily's bright blue eyes. She made a mental note to bring up her own burgeoning feelings to Charlie when they spoke about Emily later tonight.
After a little more driving, the limo pulled into the parks entrance, a massive black gate with the visage of a golden goose overhanging the two doors that swung open when the trio approached.
"I'm assuming a goose is Lucifer's true form? Kinda like Sera's eagle form." Emily pointed out.
"I think so. I've never seen his true angelic form, and I can't manifest my own. Dad said he thinks I'm more of a succubus like my mom, but I would love to have a pair of wings like you and Vaggie. It would be fun to fly."
Vaggie smiled at Charlie then reached around her waist and pulled her close. To Emily's surprise her first crush reached over and pulled her onto her right with Vaggie on the left. The gray angel didn't seem to protest and even gave Emily a brief wink. What that meant was lost on the older angel.
"Okay I'll take care of Mammon, and you two can enjoy the park. Mammon won't try anything since that would piss off my Dad, but we can keep texting each other if that's okay?"
Vaggie breathed loudly through her nose, "Honestly I'd rather not leave you alone with any demon, but he is technically your family, and I'd rather not leave Emily alone either. The second something happens you text me, right?"
Charlie nodded happily, then kissed her girlfriend on the cheek and skipped off to the main offices at the back of the park. Now alone with Vaggie, Emily took a second to glance around the park. It was very spacious with carts and stalls everywhere, everything was duck and goose themed from the drinks to the snacks and prizes. The rides were massive and came in all different varieties, including roller-coasters, marry-go-rounds, and what looked like a haunted house.
"Are there actual ghost in there? Do ghost exist in Hell?"
"Not sure, don't really want to find out. Let's just get some food to walk around with and use our tickets to get some cheap prizes. Ever had a churro?" That was something Emily had not had before, and an hour later she was happily eating sweats and cuddling a big stuffed duck while sitting in front of a cafe next to Vaggie.
Vaggie finished her ice cream, then shooed a couple of imps away with a quick glare.
"You'd think they'd find something else to look at. Everywhere we go it's like we become the main attraction."
"They're probably just curious. I'm clearly an angel and you can pass as a sinner. How often do either of those appear down here?"
"Not sure, just annoying is all. Still though it was sweet of you to suggest reaching out to them. Clearly made Charlie's day."
"He he, thanks. I was called the joy bringer back up in Lesser Heaven. After the hearing though, I just couldn't dedicate to the job as I did before. Not until I knew you and Charlie would be okay. The love you both share is the most beautiful thing I've ever witnessed."
Vaggie stared at Emily silently, then glanced down and noticed Emily had reached over and taken her hand without realizing it. When the blue angel did notice she quickly pulled her hand back, and Vaggie immediately found herself missing the warmth.
"Sorry that was inappropriate. I shouldn't have,"
"It's fine Emily. I think neither of us can deny that there's been something that's been growing between us. Baphoma saw it, and at first I didn't know what to think. Charlie is my life, my soul, my reason for being, but I don't feel threatened by you. If anything you remind me of all the things I adore about Charlie."
"That's… yeah I really like you Vaggie. You're strong, and beautiful, and the most loyal person I've ever met. Charlie is so bright and happy, and she always makes me feel warm inside. You both changed my life, and I can't imagine going another hour without both of you as an everlasting constant. But I know I can't come between you two. It would destroy me."
"It would hurt like hell to lose Charlie, but we should all talk about this. I learned the hard way that keeping things bottled up will usually end in things escalating. You saw what Adam did back at the hearing."
"I remember, and it was gross. The way he bragged about it even made Sera angry. I think that was the last straw for me. If someone like Adam gets to stay in Heaven, no one should have to burn in Hell. Especially two amazing women that I'm crazy for."
Vaggie blushed slightly and shook her head and gave Emily an affirming smile.
"Keep the charm up and I have a hard time seeing Charlie say no to what we seem to be agreeing on."