Chapter VII - Part I
Hey hey people, welcome to another month and another mess. Like losing the power supply on this PC (Lost it for a good few days since my time got destroyed and I couldn't get back to it in time, my own fault), ma sister's cat got sick and I am the one taking care of her (she is fine, but still, more time down the drain) and not sleeping because I AM DYING OF HEAT AT NIGHT. So count my time at writing cut from a month to around ten days or so between bullshit and DYING.
So fun, fun, fun… I have done a lot LESS this month than I wanted, because shit has conspired against me. Still, the chapter is done. So here is the first part.
*** G.L City - Mayberry Residence - Jack ***
Jack woke up feeling fresher than he had ever felt.
With pain, true, but fresh.
You don't mess with Lucien and expect not to get bodied. True; he didn't really want to mess with him, more like warn Emily in case the curious little angel made questions or the like, but that's besides the point. He had gotten done in, and yes, it did hurt at first, but it hurt more now. It was like having a whole set of stiff muscles. Lucien knew how to make the pain last.
A normal person that didn't know Lucien would be pissed.
Jack just thanked whoever was looking out for him, because Lucien had more than a few reasons to have made his whole day today a miserable one.
And no: It didn't have to do with telling Emily about his 'little secret'. If you thought Lucien and Dom had let go that Jack nearly killed himself, then forget it. They could act pretty well, but it was stupid to think that people this tight knit would ever forget, or forgive, such actions. At some point Jack would have to talk with the other two, alone, and expect yells if nothing else.
But right now? It was showtime. Not *RIGHT NOW*, but soon. Jack was both afraid and excited. It was a new beginning, in a way, and it made him feel not only fresh, but renewed.
He had gone from the deep end to rising up again. It was as if he was a new man in a way. And today was going to mark that change with a capital C.
Or the people he had contacted, and that would be looking at his stream, would call the police on him and shit would go down. Hopefully such outcome would be the farthest thing from the truth, because he really, REALLY didn't want to know what was bound to happen if some of his soon to be guests (or their security) got an itchy trigger finger more prone to go full auto than a school shooter.
Dark humor? Yes. It felt appropriate.
Jack felt much better, true, but not at a full 100 still. He had returned everything in his room back where everything was meant to be. Not long ago it had all been packed for his friends, but yesterday, after coming back, he had found the energy to place all his figurines, collectibles, and the games he loved to play until the disks and cartridges barely worked anymore, back where they were meant to be. His room felt lived, and alive, again, much like him.
Heck, his morning was so good that, after getting up, he found himself humming a song. Now Jack didn't have a bad voice, but he had a HORRID singing ability that could be compared to animal torture and genital mutilation.
I am not fucking with you here: Him singing was ear rape.
Humming was okay, though. It was also a massive tell on his part, much like his singing. Anyone that knew him, even a little bit, would tell you that singing or humming meant he had high spirits. Those moments were the best to ask him for almost anything… which is why he stopped doing it. When he felt this positive it was like a natural 'high'; he just went along with the flow.
Consider this: How much of a betrayal would it be for your body to basically get you super drunk on happiness to the point of being easily influenced? Chalk another reason behind his lack of friends there. But unlike many others, this one he had control over.
He just… needed to keep himself in check.
"Feeling happy, are we?"
Jack didn't even notice he had picked a fresh set of clothes and had headed out to the bathroom in his underwear. This mindset of his, when he was just plain content and satisfied, was that much like a drug. He just, well, *did*. The only 'good' thing was that this hadn't been the first time he had walked out barely clothed to go get a shower.
Nor had he found his mom naked except for a towel covering her body. In fact this was far too damn common, and his friends had sung him 'Sweet Home Alabama' so many times it had lost its luster a long time ago.
Right now Jack couldn't care less though. "I am, mom. I… I know I promised to stop doing that."
Sarah let out a little sigh and tried to get her glasses in place as she inclined her head, only to chuckle at the reaction considering her glasses were still back in her room. Instead she offered Jack a smile.
"Jack, I didn't drill you to stop singing just because you are horrid at it." She joked, though Jack couldn't really fault her. He knew his singing voice was probably against the Geneva Convention. "I did it because I could ask anything of you now and you'd do it."
Jack rolled his eyes. "I think I have grown a little bit since then, mom." He still smiled at her. "But I am just fired up, you know? I have wished for so long to make a difference, any difference, that this is like a dream come true. And with you back I swear to you: I won't fall on old habits, I will have everything under control."
"And I know you believe that, honey." Sarah held her towel in place with one hand. She would've used her tail, but she wasn't about to risk flashing her son. After Hell she STILL had some, and I do mean *some*, modesty. "You have been without me for so long, dear. I know you likely had no reason to be as happy as you are now after what I did, so you didn't have to worry about this. We are both acutely aware of this 'hormonal' problem being your mother's fault, not yours. Her damn drugs had to mess up as much as they could. But that is not what worries me." Her free hand went to Jack's cheek. The worry in her eyes and voice couldn't be understated. "But now you are going to have to deal with demons and angels, literal ones, Jack. I am afraid of how any of them would use you if they ever discovered your weakness."
Jack made a face. "Do you think even Charlie…?"
Sarah shook her head. "Not her. I may think of many things I'd say about the princess, but one thing I am sure of is that she wouldn't use you, at least if she had a choice in the matter." And indeed Jack could see that his mom had many things she could still say about Charlie, a good deal of them being anything but good. "Everyone else? Depends. Even Charlie's girlfriend would have an easy time hurting you if she thought it would help Charlie, even if it came to bite her in the ass later."
"I get the feeling Emily wouldn't either." Jack offered a smirk in an attempt to help Sarah relax.
"Of course she wouldn't." And it seemed to work, at least for a moment. "But do keep your head in the game, okay, dear?" She took her hand away and instead planted a kiss on her son's cheek. "I am happy to see you so lively after what almost happened a few days ago, but I don't want you slipping. You being hurt is the last thing I want."
"I promise you, mom." Jack returned the feeling with a kiss of his own on his mom's brow, making Sarah giggle a little bit. It would lose its luster sooner or later, as it once did, but she had missed this so much, Jack could tell. "I will have everything in order and let nothing through. In fact, I already know of someone that I am going to have to deal with."
Sarah arched an eyebrow before her brows furrowed. "Alastor?"
"Call it a hunch." Jack nodded, not that he needed to offer her confirmation. Alastor clearly was famous enough and his character well known. "But before I get what I have planned ready I need a shower." Here he had a shit eating grin. "So, if you could…?"
"Oh, go fuck yourself, young man." Sarah chuckled as she stepped aside. "I have been waiting all morning for you to get up and get to the bathroom. That we are like this is YOUR fault."
Jack paused mid step at that. "What do you mean by 'all morning'?"
Sarah seemed just as confused for a second. "Jack… it is almost one in the afternoon. I have been calling you since it was eight in the morning, even Emily tried to. Fuck, she tore the door off its hinges and repaired it with some magic while saying 'sorry' so loud you probably could wake the dead." She frowned for a moment. "I have been doing things around the house all morning and just took a shower NOW instead of earlier because I was worried. I told Emily it was all okay, just to keep her calm, but I have been a nervous wreck. House is cleaner than I have ever seen it, I made sure the basement is spotless for our guests and your stream. Lunch is done, even!" The frown went away and worry appeared on her face. "Are you… are you alright? Seriously, I mean. I am not going to up and say something must be wrong with you, but perhaps…?"
Jack was about to answer, but thought better about it. Was he okay?
Despite everything this morning, and the warning, he still felt that 'high' in him. His body was basically drugging him, to put it bluntly. Now he was more in control of himself, as the biggest hit was gone and this conversation sobered him up. But was he alright?
Yeah, yeah he was. He had felt very weird yesterday for some reason, and today he had slept FAR too long, but he was okay. Perhaps it was just the excitement of it all? Perhaps the magic in the place? That shit still made his hairs stand on end when he went close to the cellar. Jack chalked it to this being the new normal and left it at that.
"I am okay, mom. I swear I am." So he ended up offering her a smile of reassurance. "I suppose it is just all this excitement. Probably doesn't help that Lucien almost messed me up yesterday."
Sarah didn't seem like she was buying that load of bull, but she relented and gave him a nod. "Just take a quick shower and come eat. I don't know if we'll get a call or they'll arrive whenever, so at least do me a favor and help me calm down by making sure you *are* fine."
With that said Sarah walked towards her own room, leaving Jack to frown for a moment before he got ready for that shower. This morning had brought a question and a worry to his mind, but he opted to ignore it for now.
He was sure others would be coming over soon. The young man was sure his morning wasn't the only weird one, but everyone would be here and ready whether He was. At least Jack made sure to put the stream's time as a bit of a 'volatile one'. From 2 to 5, he was damn sure the people from Hell would want to have a lot of time in the day just in case. Having a 'whenever it starts, it starts' time wasn't going to endear him much to his usual audience, but most people would keep an eye out.
So Jack made sure he WAS okay, at least physically, by checking himself. No marks, only a light bruise from yesterday, no pain… The high was gone now too. Everything seemed normal.
The young man frowned for a moment. Normal was the furthest thing from the truth these days.
Whatever. Shower now, food after, then make sure everything is ready.
He was sure Charlie would expect nothing short of perfection for this.
*** Hell - Hazbin Hotel ***
"Everything is going to go to shit."
Charlie had Razzle and Dazzle at her side as she paced around the room. She should've been more calm and collected, but beyond having a light breakfast and cleaning up to offer the image of a calm and collected Princess of Hell, she was utterly fucked mentally.
"Dad and uncle Oz's girls are going to come over. I should have called Vaggie over but noooo, I was too chicken to do it." And while Charlie had indeed combed her hair, cleaned up every bit of brimstone, dust and muck that her toshing around and waking up on the floor after face planting had forced on her body, her look right now was borderline manic. "Alastor is yet to be back. The others are gone and I don't know what the heck they are doing or planning. All I know is that everyone said they'll come back." She ended up kneeling in front of her two small bodyguards, all but begging. "What do I do!?"
Of course, beyond looking cute, worried, and probably brain damaged, the two 'goat' boys didn't do much. You know, beyond try to be good moral support.
Keekee, for her part, looked at Charlie like most cats would: With contempt that was all but saying 'You are stupid and should be in a mental institution'.
Cats are evil, man. That is why they go to Hell.
The glowering Charlie gave Keekee did little to dissuade the cat from being a cat, Hellborn or not. It also died damn quick the moment someone knocked at her door, making Charlie yelp in surprise, though it sounded more like a squeaky toy being squeezed. Like father like daughter.
"Yes!?" That aside, and trying to offer a more dignified front, Charlie got up from her near catastrophic collapse. "Who is it?"
"Charlie, it is me." At first the voice of Vaggie was enough to make Charlie's face lift and gave her a smile. "We need to talk about something." But those words usually didn't mean anything good in a relationship.
Charlie cursed in her mind before caving in. Better get this over with. "Come in, Vaggie."
A moment later Vaghata was in front of Charlie. The latina had made sure to enter the room quickly but 'gently', as if afraid of something, and closing the door while sending a look outside that confused the Princess of Hell.
"Hey." There was no explanation, and a very awkward 'hey' was all Charlie was going to get, apparently.
"Hey." Not that Charlie managed to say anything else back! "What, uh, what were you looking at?"
The question placed a frown on Vaggie's face right away. "We have two visitors."
Charlie managed to squeak a clear - "Fuck." - before she could think of what to say or ask.
Vaggie's frown deepened. "Seems like you knew this would happen."
With a grimace, Charlie decided to open up. "I… had a very interesting conversation yesterday. Let me try and summarize in a minute or two."
Condensing yesterday night's bullshit in barely two minutes of runtime was tricky, but the hyper state Charlie was in, with nerves, fears and everything else pilling up, made her be on point. It could've easily made things not only worse, but catastrophic, if instead she had devolved into one of her manic episodes where stress and the pressure of it all got to her, but Charlie's determination for this to NOT get fucked up was enough for the Princess to keep things together.
Vaggie was a whole different matter.
"You gotta be fucking with me." The angel grimaced as she pinched the bridge of her nose. "You are telling me that if your dad steps down and then YOU do it too, for whatever reason, we all die?"
On the plus side, Vaggie focused on the most important part.
On the minus side, Vaggie was clearly trying to ignore the fact that the two women outside were here, in part, to try and get in Charlie's bed. That the two didn't know this was the intention didn't make it any better, and Charlie could see Vaggie's eye twitch and tight frown as the telltale signs of envy and distrust. That the latina didn't 'focus' on something doesn't mean she didn't have it in mind.
"Apparently." Charlie decided to let Vaggie work through this at her own pace. Pushing the topic would likely do more harm than good since NOTHING was meant to happen. At least for now. In the future? Who knew, though Charlie was going to shelve that for WAY later. "Though it makes sense that there is a reason for dad to still be on his throne. I won't lie: I always thought dad would gladly go away and live some kind of hermit life, creating whatever comes to his mind when the mood strikes. Now I know that, if he does that, and I don't sit on that throne, we would all get screwed."
"And by Seviathan's cousins no less." Vaggie donned a pensive expression then. "Did you ever know they are immortal and… not from here?"
"I don't think ANYONE knows, except the oldest around, perhaps." Charlie wished she HAD known, but it wasn't like anyone thought Seviathan was going to be abusive. Fuck, Charlie sure thought he was oh so nice and friendly back when Helsa and her were friends. "I mean, Alastor is like a whole library of knowledge, and I am sure even HE thinks they are just very long lived 'normal' demons. Powerful, yes, but still 'demons'."
"Yeah, if not even the radio fuck knows something, then it is a literal ironclad secret." Much as Vaggie despised it, and Charlie knew she wished the Radio Demon would fuck off most of the time, Alastor was a wellspring of knowledge. "Anyways, this only means you'll be queen soon."
"We." Charlie pointed out, making some of Vaggie's frustration and clear anger at the situation dissipate, though the small smile Charlie had placed on her girlfriend's face came with clear worry and doubt. "You may be queen consort and all that, but I won't be there without you."
Vaggie blushed a little bit before letting out a sigh. "Youare seriously not going to let me go, eh?"
Charlie arched an eyebrow. "Would you want me to?"
"I'd prefer if you don't, no." Vaggie admitted with a smirk and clear hope in her voice. "Still… we haven't talked about-." She gesticulated towards the door. "-that mess."
True, true, but Charlie could do little more than shag a little bit. "Dad pushing this on me was a dick move." And that was the truth, but also a lie. "But the help? I welcome it. This has grown a bit too big for my liking, Vaggie. Demons and Sinners think I am a joke, but we are now going to face humans, LIVING humans. The paperwork, the general workload and this mess between us…" Both Charlie and Vaggie sported clear hurt on their faces. Two days had created a lot of longing, but the problem was still very much present. "I need more help. I appreciate that dad ended up opening up, I don't like that he tried to be a sneaky fuck, but I do agree that two more people helping will make this much easier. And for now? That is ALL they'll be… other than friends, if they are really nice." Charlie offered that last part with her usual pep and a much more sincere smile.
Vaggie remained neutral for a second before chuckling and offering a smile. At least Charlie tried her best to perhaps not be okay, but look the part. "Of course you'd try to befriend them." So the woman steeled herself, took a deep breath through the nose, and did her best to appear calm. "But would you want more?"
Charlie frowned. "You know what I want, Vaggie." Her words weren't harsh, but the answer was quick and her voice strong. It almost made Vaggie flinch, but that wasn't Charlie's intent. "I want love first and foremost, Vaggie. Love isn't gained just like that."
"And it is easily lost…" Vaggie muttered, but she wasn't trying not to be heard. "Charlie… I know we have to talk about this, but…"
"We can focus on that later, Vaggie. It may still be too soon." Charlie got closer to her girlfriend. Oh she wanted to talk about things. She wanted to clear the air. But she did not want to pressure Vaggie. Patience was paramount here, because forcing things would destroy it all in the blink of an eye. "So we can take our time. If this goes well then we can perhaps relax a bit and finally clear the air."
Vaggie seemed to relax a bit at that. She was still clearly on edge, but that was almost a natural state at this point. "Thanks, Charlie… I know this isn't fair on you."
"Eh, throw it on the pile." Charlie tried to joke, and it DID get a chuckle, but it wasn't any less sad considering it was true. "But I told you: I want to stay with you, Vaggie. We may have our problems, but that won't change." She took Vaggie's hands on her own. It was just a little bit of contact, but it did wonders for the both of them. "Just little by little, okay? And no secrets."
"No secrets." Vaggie offered a smile, a sincere, unworried one this time. It didn't last too long though, mostly because Vaggie had to take her hands away from Charlie and take a step away. If she stayed there things would escalate. Charlie knew both of them were hungry for some time with each other. "So… should I let them in?"
For a moment Charlie thought about it. Could she just say no? Of course she could. She was the MOTHERFUCKING PRINCESS OF HELL! She could literally spit on her father's face if she so wanted, because Lucifer would allow it, more so considering how his actions had caused a lot of misery to come Charlie's way.
But Charlie wasn't mean, not without good reason. She wasn't cruel either, and you'd need to truly push her buttons for THAT to ever rear her ugly head. And if the world managed to piss her enough? Then you'd see just how bad a Morningstar can be.
So no, the temptation to tell these two newcomers to 'fuck off' was there, but she didn't take it. Charlie DID need the help and these two demons were here to do just that. They hadn't been given orders, that is not how it worked. In the case of the imp? She'd likely be more than happy to do whatever Charlie's dad asked of her. For the succubus? Asmodeus was even more passive with most of his workers, perhaps just as friendly, than Lucifer, so he wouldn't order either.
The two were here out of their own volition, though their reasons would remain just guesses for now. All Charlie could hope for, at least for now, was that they were here to help for real and, perhaps, to believe in her.
Charlie desperately needed more people to believe in her.
The moment Vaggie ushered the two newcomers to Charlie's room, she drank in their presence and made sure to keep every detail in her mind. Charlie rarely interacted with most Hellborn. And these two? They were going to be a constant in her life.
They were going to be important. Something that most in Hell would find infuriating if they knew just HOW much, more so when it came to the first figure in: Claudia.
The young impette was of average height, which meant she was likely around crotch area to Charlie, as well as relatively thin, but not malnourished or anything. She had a thin lipped smile that was more neutral than anything, and her eyes were half lidded, but clearly to attention, even if she looked perhaps afraid, or at least dubious of being here.
This probably painted a bad picture, but it was normal. Claudia had a regular Prideling Imp build: Around 90 cm in height, so ALMOST three feet. She did make it past three feet with her horns; looking straight up, as most Pridelings do, with the large white stripes that depict a male, making her hermaphroditic nature very much apparent. On most Imps the size of horns meant many things, but in an ironic twist of fate, Pridelings generally had thin or shorter horns, much like Claudia: A hit to their pride as a species, as it were. But for the present Imp they were still no less than fifteen centimeters long, albeit indeed thin, but they looked incredibly sturdy, even sharp.
It wouldn't surprise Charlie if Claudia had made a weapon out of them. Her father called her a coward, but Imps do need some form of conflict, even if it is make believe. And those horns? They weren't just decorations.
But Claudia did look prim and proper, more so than most Imps, even those in servant roles for the nobility, tended to do; carefully applied red lipstick, perfectly treated skin with barely a mark to it except what looked like a heart stamp on her left shoulder. Long white hair tied into a ponytail. Tail devoid of any white scar, piercings or even movement as Claudia stood perfectly still. Even her legs, more human in appearance than the more goat like Imps, had boots that resembled formal footwear where most Imps just say 'fuck it' and fitch the things. To top it all off was that white shirt and black pants plus tie combo that she was wearing, all of it mixed with a large book she was carrying and a pocket on her breast area packed with pens of various colors.
And don't get me wrong here: Charlie didn't want to stare, but it was hard not to. Claudia, like most naturally born intersex Imps, was… impressive. Not massively so, mind you. She was, for her frame, modest, but it was clear the woman had a decent part of breasts on her and that the black pants made sure to cover her male endowments, but they were, much like her derriere, above average.
This was not uncommon. Imps were natural breeders, after all. Sexually speaking they were the second among Hell's native population, this much Charlie DID know, because Imps were meant to born and die in large quantities, depressing as it may sound. Simply put: After Succubi, the more sexually charge species in Hell was, to no one's surprise, the Imp.
Speaking of. The succubus at Claudia's side was no less breathtaking, if in a different way.
Charlie might not know much about her fellow hellspawn, but she knew one thing that was ALMOST an absolute: You have to try hard, as a Succubi, to be ugly.
Like, really try hard.
REALLY.
You'd need to have one of the worst lifestyles in HISTORY to become really fat or unhealthy. Either that or, worst case scenario, you have to be born with some kind of illnesses. As resilient as Succubi are to diseases of any kind, specially the sexual kind, they are not impervious to anything. But ugliness? Yeah, usually only happens if the person in question has some kind of deficiency. The real ugly Succubi, as in really physically ugly, usually translate into them being barely able, if at all, to 'digest' lust.
Call it going from bad to the absolute worst. And a very physical representation of being screwed.
Gina was not ugly at all, again, as was common of most Succubi. Though with how minute Charlie's knowledge of Succubi, she could tell the girl wasn't exactly 'okay'.
Wasp hips weren't exactly uncommon for her kind, but they generally meant either a fixation for people with that kind of kink, or 'malnutrition'. AKA: Gina clearly didn't exactly have much sex. In fact the first things that caught Charlie's attention were Gina's large, bountiful breasts and the plus sized ass that almost made the young Succubus look 'hyperideal'. You'd think of someone else that they were looking there because they were perverted, in Charlie's case she was wondering how her uncle had allowed Gina to clearly eat only 'regular' food, which obviously went to very specific parts of the young Succubi's body. All that enticement would be awesome for someone willing to go and seduce humans, but Charlie couldn't help it as she wondered just how 'hungry' Gina was likely feeling.
Succubi may be able to feed on lust without having sex, but that is like eating food you don't need to process. It fills you, it aids you, but it also wrecks your body if you go for it too long. Atrophy of the organs, only in this case it was fit for a Succubus.
The young woman hid it well. She had a much brighter and clearer smile than Claudia, and the big, as in stupidly big, probably oversized, glasses on her made it look comical. Very long black hair with very small hint of gray coloration, almost silver, on the tips was very well kept and cared for, though clearly Charlie noticed it should've been much longer and luscious, while her horns were very short, underdeveloped, probably for the same reason she had the body she had.
Her skin was a very pale shade of pink, a bit of an oddity just for the tonality of it, though it was likely because she stayed indoors most of the time, unlike Claudia whose red was vibrant and meant she was physically active and out and about most of her time. Also, unlike Claudia, the nervousness was apparent on Gina: She was almost trembling, but with her it was simply obvious that she was giddy and unable to contain her interest. If Asmodeus had been fully sincere and truthful, then Gina would love going to Earth for ANY reason.
Nerves and insecurities aside, the young Succubi was ready to tackle this as firmly as could be; heels, a very formal skirt, jacket and shirt composed her attire. There was no boob window, there was no easy access to anything: Gina was as formal as could be for a succubus while still showing some skin. The uniform was black in color with pinkish highlights, the shirt was white and it was all completed with a large leatherbound book where she likely had any information or ideas she found worthwhile. Considering she was going to go to the place she fantasized most, it was clear she had it on hand to note down, or perhaps sketch, whatever came to mind or caught her attention. It was weird to see no makeup or anything similar, though, then again, Gina was not here to SEDUCE anyone going topside, and something told Charlie that this young woman had enough trouble bothering to put up a formal and professional work attire instead of a hoodie some days.
If nothing else Charlie could consider this adorable in its own way. That, and she wasn't the only mental wreck here, so, ironically enough, her uneasiness made this all much easier.
Now to NOT fuck it up.
"Well, hello there." Great start, Charlie! At least she managed to keep her voice even. "I am sorry I wasn't there to welcome you both to the Hazbin hotel. Things have been… hectic."
Claudia was first to act with a reverent curtsy, more like a bow to be honest, as she spoke. "We understand, mistress."
Her voice was smoky and very feminine, but with a deep hint to it. Nowhere would you think it masculine at all, but there was an undertow there, as if something was contained. Not exactly strange considering that most Imps working for Charlie's dad tried their best to suppress the more violence prone actions, at least within castle grounds, unless given permission.
Vaggie walked to Charlie's side while Gina got her glasses back in place before speaking her part. "Yeah, what she said." Though she coughed in her hand the moment the Imp threw a scatting gaze her way. "I mean, getting ready to go to Earth to make this kind of announcement is sure to be trying on your nerves!"
Well, at least Gina tried to salvage it. Kudos for that. It almost looked like Charlie's own blunders here and there. You could call it endearing, if Charlie was praying to everything holy AND unholy alike so this day would go without a hitch.
Please.
"You have no idea." Charlie grumbled under her breath. "But that is why you two are here, right? To help with this little problem."
Claudia was eager to affirm herself first. "Of course, mistress." And it made Charlie a bit uncomfortable to have the same devotion shown to her as most of those working for her father (directly I mean) showed him. "In fact I have a few things here you should know. Allow me to begin my tenure in a moment."
Vaggie took this opportunity as Claudia went over her notes (and Gina tried to spy on the Imp's work), to scoot over ever so slightly and ask in whisper. "Mistress?"
"Dad has a bit of a cult going on at the castle." Charlie spoke back just as quietly, barely moving. "Not everyone who works for him was rescued or something that grand, but a lot of servants join some kind of… 'Luciferianism' sect? I don't know what it is, only that dad has been trying to stop it for a good four hundred years or more now."
Vaggie deadpanned Claudia's way. "Doesn't seem to have worked… But still. Mistress?"
"Dad is 'master', so I suppose the title trickles down." Charlie shrugged, trying to make it feel less important than it probably was. "I just hope it is not as creepy as some of the people working at dad's place."
"..." Vaggie couldn't help but eye Charlie's worried face for a second. "Do you want to share or…?"
"That is something I don't even want to remember." Charlie looked lost in something, a faraway look in her eyes. She would never speak of the things she saw. "Just know one room in my family home has a black hole in it. That is all."
The latina's eye bugged out for a second. What could've happened in there for… You know what? When Charlie saw Vaggie toss that line of thought like trash, promptly locking down her mind when it came to questions about THAT, she wasn't surprised.
"Here. Sorry for the wait." Good! A distraction. Claudia seemed to have found what she was seeking. "Pardon the mess, but Master Lucifer requested for my services a few times while gathering everything I needed."
Charlie felt a pang of curiosity there. "What did dad ask for? I thought you were going to be transferred here to work for me."
"And I am, Mistress." Claudia was quick to assert. "But the Master did ask for a few things, like regular visits to inform him of how things are going." The little Imp went back two pages and pointed at something. "He requested me to inform him of whatever has been going on in three days' time. He'll be able to come today, but tomorrow and the day after are already spoken for, sadly. And to not push you too much he requested me to personally deliver the details on whatever important events may transpire since it is more than likely that you'll be too busy to do it yourself."
Huh, that made sense. And considering Charlie would snap at the barest push or prod from her dad, perhaps it was indeed best for Claudia to be the one delivering any news of worth, or just a pile of details that would otherwise be inane and tedious.
Fine, she could do with this. There was a hint of distrust in her, because her dad had been a total snake in so many things (pun not intended), but having to deal with that LATER was, for now, the better choice.
"I see." Charlie nodded, looking at Vaggie and seeing her appreciation for this, though probably for other reasons. "I don't think there is any problem with that. SO! What is that you have?"
"Messages from your… friends?" For some reason Charlie noticed this did not seem to sit well with Claudia. Perhaps the notion of someone like Angel Dust, or even the Radio Demon, being her friends? Or was it just alien for the Impette to think someone would grow that close with Charlie? Either way the expression lasted a moment only. "I managed to get in contact with most of them thanks to the Master's aid."
Well, it wasn't like Charlie hadn't seen most of them (minus Alastor) this morning, but all of them had been avoiding Charlie a lot as of late. She understood: They had to think about it all. But pairing that with Vaggie's distance it was killing Charlie a little bit.
"And what do they say?" Speaking of Vaggie, she looked questioningly at the Imp. "I barely managed to get two words from everyone this morning, if they ever showed up." She huffed at that. "Pentious sneaked in and out to get some food. Didn't even fucking say 'hi'."
"Mister Sir Pentious seems to be busy with something." Claudia didn't seem interested in making it 'vague', she genuinely just had that in her notebook, if her face was any indication to Charlie. "He asked me to say that 'He is working on something for… just in case'. His words."
Charlie bit her cheek. What could Pentious be doing? It had to do with his clear disquiet at going back to Earth, that was for sure.
"He promised to be back shortly." Clauidia went on. "Although I cannot say the same about mister Husk. That particular Sinner doesn't have much desire for talk, much less for going back to Earth, at least now."
That wasn't surprising. "Husk doesn't talk much, but something tells me it hasn't been much more miserable here in Hell than it was on Earth." Charlie admitted. And most of what she managed to 'learn' had to do with Husk complaining when he thought no one was paying attention to him.
"Combat vets usually get treated like shit." Vaggie seemed sympathetic, though. Just as unsurprising, considering her own luck in an 'army' of her own. "I am sure he'll at least want to help, in his own way, at some point."
"For how he told me he was keeping 'his affairs' in order, and that was all." Claudia went along, seeing as no one questioned a thing. "Miss Nifty… is far too eager, and manic. She wanted to be 'perfect', though, so she took off after our talk. I am sorry if I am just assuming, but-."
"You aren't." Both Vagie and Charlie spoke in unison, the former with a deadpan and a tired gaze, the later with a nervous chuckle and equally nervous smile.
"I… see…" Claudia seemed ever so slightly disturbed. Lucifer was right: The woman wasn't exactly courageous. Then again… Nifty was Nifty. "Mister Angel Dust told me he was going to be busy talking with his family."
This made Vaggie push forward, or at least take a single step. It was more like it caught her off guard and she stumbled in place.
"You have to be joking, right?" Vaggie seemed incredulous. "That asshole has an inbuilt tolerance for almost ALL fucking drugs, but he has been hitting the bottle a lot with Husk as of late. The damn cat is all but his therapist at this point. And you know who has to overhear all his shit when she wants a drink? Me."
And while Vaggie was complaining, it was more in a 'good natured' kind of way. She wasn't angry at the fact, she was probably pissed off at Angel for pushing all his crap on Husk alone. This place was for redemption after all! Charlie could understand Vaggie's frustrations considering she had offered her office as a makeshift counseling room for anyone that needed it.
It didn't surprise Charlie when no one, to this day, took her offer of help.
"That spider HATES his family, and he usually clams up until I leave if the topic arises." Vaggie went on, clearly more worried than angry now. "I'd thought he would shoot up the Italian district in Pentagram long before he ever wanted to 'talk' with any of his old family here."
"Just to be clear." Claudia piped up, not at all bothered about the interruption. "He made it clear that he was going to talk with his brother. When I mentioned his father he began to curse in Italian for two straight minutes."
Vaggie seemed slightly more relaxed. "Probably not much better, but he didn't carry as much anger when talking about his brother." Then again, Vaggie clearly resigned herself, and Charlie had to, too, when she thought of how volatile Angel could be. More so if he had some drugs or booze beforehand. "Who knows what he'll do? We'll have to wait and see."
"True, true. I just hope he doesn't do anything stupid. Angel has been doing so well as of late." Charlie spoke with hope. Angel HAD been doing much better. She really wanted him to stay that way. "But what about Alastor?"
Claudia seemed uncomfortable at that point. "I… did not have a way to contact him. Mister Alastor appeared in front of us mid transit. It is as if he waited for the perfect moment after we left the Master's state."
And by how the little Imp was trembling, the shock had not been small.
"... Why are you like this, Alastor?" Charlie groaned into her hands as she fought the desire to scream. It took a few moments, but she at least appeared calm enough to face the group, with Claudia's red clearly slightly paler as she thought about that meeting. "OKAY! Everything is okay!" Or was it? Charlie would gladly lie to herself if there was a chance for it to become true, even if Vaggie was looking at her with deep concern. Still, she faced Claudia with the most sincere (if very much bordering on insane) smile she could offer. "So, what did Alastor tell you?"
"That schizo said he'd be first to the human world today."
When Gina spoke after allowing Claudia to be the one to hoard the limelight, her answer did not make things better.
In fact Charlie was showing a bit of a tick when it came to her eye.
"Excuse me?"
And she was perhaps sounding a little bit caprine and insane to boot.
Gina seemed to catch quickly, partly because it felt as if the ground itself was beginning to shake. "H-he said he'd be visiting the human first? Said he wanted to, uh, propose something?"
"Mistress. I doubt he will do anything detrimental." Claudia ventured, making the rumbling stop. While clearly intimidated, Claudia did not stop with the delivery. "The last one I managed to get in contact with was the one I tried to call first. Mister Blitz said he'd be here in-" The Imp produced a pocket watch from some pocket or other. "-five to ten minutes now. He was making sure all of his employees were in place and thought it prudent for him to be present 'Just in case', or so he said." Had she had it Charlie knew Claudia would be turning her nose up at the notion. "Though considering what I learned of his reputation he may be going 'for broke', as they say."
Charlie opted to scream within instead of without. She could work with this. Alastor wouldn't do something stupid. But if Blitzo hadn't decided to come with…
"Wait." That still left someone else. "What about my da-?"
"I am here! Am I late?!"
Just then, and predictably on time in a sense, a portal opened just behind Charlie and between Razzle and Dazzle who just stepped out of the way as if they had seen
Lucifer appeared unperturbed, if a bit out of breath. He was missing his hat, and Charlie could swear he smelled of ash. Had he burned the thing down? No, impossible. But if he had been doing 'something' of note, then perhaps he could harm some of his clothes, more so if that something was a serious danger to anyone of importance. With all the preparations her dad was getting ready, who is to tell what kind of shit he was up to? And no, she wouldn't ask, at least not now. It was already taking some of her will away to remain polite considering her grievances.
"You are fine, dad." So Charlie decided it would be better to just let it go and instead help her father with some stray loose hairs on his head. When he was at his best you wouldn't notice how much a mess he was. The rest of the time? Eeh… "Claudia and Gina just arrived and told us about everyone else."
"Good, good." Lucifer straightened up, dusted some kind of sooth from his clothes and summoned his, until now, missing cane. "Who is coming then?"
"None of the guests." Vaggie grumbled, not angry at the fact. She was clearly annoyed at who was already over there. "Alastor apparently went ahead of us."
Lucifer made a face of utter disdain. "That cheeky, red, deer in the headlights looking ass."
Charlie would've laughed, or perhaps scolded, her father if things were different. Right now? She found herself halfway there when it came to agreeing with her dad.
"Look, Alastor can be a dick." Charlie admitted, even if she wanted to be nice to the man. Everyone around her, and I mean every single person, was far too quick to agree, at least in Charlie's most humble opinion. "But he won't do anything to hurt this moment, I am sure. All we need to do is wait for-."
The loud sound of wood being splintered echoed through the building. That alone was a worry, but the loud yell of- "I AM HERE, BITCHES!" -that came after made that worry turn to Charlie trying to suppress her need to pummel someone.
Instead she smiled, again. At some point this was going to become a Stepford smile. The nanosecond her patience finally broke down, she feared she would start a murder spree. Charlie could be all rainbows and sunshine most of the time, but every waking second seemed to be pushing it.
"No one! He is here!" But for now she acted her usual chipper self. In a way it wasn't a lie: They could cross over now and see if Alastor had done something or not. But first. "Razzle, Dazzle." The two goat boys saluted as one. "Keep an eye on the hotel, okay? No one is to go to the basement, for ANY reason." Both little demons gave a very serious nod. "I doubt anyone would try. But if they do? Don't hurt them too much, so long as they back off."
Normally Charlie would be even more tame than that, but the group could see that stress had piled up. Even the newcomers could feel the air crackling with power, even if minutely as Charlie tried to keep it down, near the Princess of Hell.
She just needed today to go okay. Not perfect, not 'well'. Alright would suffice.
So Alastor better not fuck things up or, and this Charlie swore under her breath as the group left her room, someone was going to die.
*** G.L City - Mayberry Residence - Alastor ***
Some time before the previous scene took place, and knowing full well that something would create enough of a distraction for him to take his time and do what he ought to, Alastor found himself readjusting his monocle and bowtie while in the mortal world.
Ah, the smell of it all… He didn't miss it. Too nice. Too fresh.
Not enough blood and screams.
BUT! Opportunities exist within. Yes. And that was what he was going to pursue; opportunities to make sure his back was well and truly covered indeed. Then again, this would have never been necessary under normal circumstances. The possibilities of someone knowing about this… game… that ALSO had enough about him, about Hell, and were also powerful enough after death, were next to zero. In fact, said possibilities likely decreased with time! But now there was to be a wrench in that and knowledge of his continued existence would explode. In Hell things could get truly bad, but those in the living world tended to be far less conscious of their lives and the risk they imposed on themselves.
Then again, perhaps Charlotte's little plan would stop most from doing reckless things. But was Alastor going to allow his plans to be derailed by mere hope? Not a chance. There were already enough risks mounting at their doorstep. This 'game' would not be another one to add to that pile.
No need to appear eager or anything though. Alastor took his sweet time leaving the attic, now clean and with most of the stuff he saw the day before stacked and stored. Even the stairs down were unfurled and leading straight next to the next set of stairs leading to the ground floor. Clearly dear Miss Mayberry and her child had been ready for a visit for a long while now, so better not disappoint.
Though disappointment wasn't in his mind when he exited the attic, only to hear the sound of sirens. Not from the outside mind you; someone was watching the, ugh, television. Not that he would openly complain beyond showing distaste, but this was a painful reminder that the damn things were everywhere.
A short walk down the stairs, then following the sounds for a brief moment, landed him in the living room. Mayberry was there, watching what seemed to be a high speed chase with a few police cars and a group of… What was that?
"What."
Alastor was used to stupidity, but come on. Really? Alastor knew not of cars, never really interested him, but he could understand when someone bought a car that had the looks, that had the speed, and that had the COST. The one on TV was sleek, clearly going far above what a regular car should, and would likely burn through a full tank in record time. That wasn't the outrageous stupidity that made Alastor just go 'what' out loud.
The man on the copilot seat opening his door, then aiming with a damn ROCKET LAUNCHER, did.
Because you could see that in Hell, sure. It was a Monday. But here?
"Some kind of drug cartel got found out near the border." Mayberry didn't seem to mind his presence. This irked the Radio Demon, but he wouldn't complain. Perhaps that was to mean this encounter would be brief. "One thing led to another and one girl and a guy escaped, hyped on as many drugs as they could get and with as many guns as possible."
"This… looks like a badly made movie." And considering Alastor already had an opinion that was close to 'they are abominations' when it came to anything to do with TV, it spoke volumes of what he was seeing. "And that man, drugged or not, should be mindful of-."
Alastor couldn't finish that sentence before the inevitable happened. The bird's eye view of this chase was crowned with the man tripping, aiming down and firing the rocket launcher. The following scene, and commentary, were both unsurprising.
"Well, I had expected a shootout, not this." Sarah chuckled, having been desensitized to such sights a long time ago. She found it even humorous. "A few more new residents of Hell."
Alastor himself couldn't care less. In fact he was only 'upset' at such stupid people polluting Hell. It was one thing to have someone somewhat smart land there; it made for good entertainment to see their struggles. Fodder like this? Boring wastrels he could do without. At best they'd serve as meat, in whatever way was fitting or preferred by whoever found them.
That thought was shoved aside like yesterday's news quickly enough. "Well, that was an interesting welcoming scene." So he faced Mayberry with his usual smile. "Now dear, I wanted to discuss something with your son before everyone crosses the portal."
Sarah, sitting on the sofa, barely reacted. Alastor frowned before Sarah turned his way. It looked like the woman had expected this.
"You don't say?" And while she looked relaxed it did not mean she didn't suspect his motives. Good, that much was warranted and he'd consider her foolish otherwise. "Then let me guide you. Jack has been preparing things with his friends and Emily for a good half an hour now."
"Good, good! The others shouldn't tarry, and my conversation will take just a few minutes at most." Alastor offered in a somewhat 'happy' voice. That there were no inane questions or attempts at stopping him were both good things in his book.
"Sure." Sarah didn't seem to be of the same mind, but Alastor didn't pay it any mind as she began walking. "By the way. I doubt if you know, but do you think Charlie or her father will supply us with a means to contact them? For a second I thought about using my old hellphone, but apparently it died at some point after returning to Earth."
Well, an interesting tidbit! Voxtech went caput in the living world? Strange… or perhaps not at all. His own magic was severely weakened, in fact he could feel the spell he put on this house was almost gone. Considering even technology had to do with magic in Hell, as it did with everything, a regular old phone lasting perhaps a few days at most wouldn't be surprising.
Which in turn meant Alastor was likely the better one of the two, if Vox were to appear somehow.
Then again, was there ever any doubt?
"My best guess would be some kind of spell, if you ask dear Charlie." Or his father, but Alastor did his best to ignore the man. "Magic technology is unlikely to respond too well to our dear old world for the time being anyway. So a truly powerful spellcaster would work much better. It is in the form of rituals that mortals contact Hell, not technology, after all." Alastor snickered at that. "I am sure that anyone stupid enough to try would find themselves with no end of troubles."
Mayberry nodded as they walked through the house, though Alastor could swear he heard an anguished scream of frustration from some kind of man with a thick accent somewhere off in the distance. Perhaps his mind was playing tricks on him? Not like the idea of someone creating a technological gate to Hell in some kind of underground lair was feasible.
He refused to believe humans would ever be that stupid.
…
Perhaps he just didn't want to believe he was related to a species that would be that mentally challenged. Let's leave it at that.
Soon they made it to a door with stairs leading down. Voices came through the moment Mayberry opened it and they didn't quiet down as the pair took the first steps down. It seemed that it was a group of four people. Wether it was smart or not on the young man's part to involve more people, Alastor would remain mum, but this could only mean that some people had been exposed to it all.
And somehow the place was still standing? Well, color him surprised! Perhaps there was some hope indeed. Either way he had something to do and could only be happy to know that nothing bad had happened, yet.
Making it down the stairs got Alastor to feel conflicted.
There was respect in what he felt when he saw the settup.
Now, now, now! Don't get me wrong here. Alastor utterly despised what he saw. It was a vomitive reminder of how things had changed. There were many light sources here and there, a green screen spot, a few posts for placing whatever was needed and a rather powerful computer with many at least THREE different screens? Not as extreme as some others, this he (sadly) knew, but it was still far too much technology for his taste. Add the many cameras for different angles or situations and the fact that there were MORE computers there for the other two humans in the room that was big enough to house a small family and you'd get an idea of how close to barfing Alastor was.
Technology like this disgusted him on so many levels. There was art there, sure, but it was not the acting of old, and all of this could easily help hide imperfections. It was nowhere near the effort, the pain, the suffering, he had to endure to attract listeners back in the day. The art, the hussle. It was not as present as he wanted it to be.
But Alastor also saw determination there. Perhaps one of Jack's friends was a clear deviant, like that spidery fellow, Angel, while the other was a mountain of muscle with a glimmer of intelligence behind that brutish appearance, but both of them were laser focused on what they were doing. Jack himself, talking with Emily, was clearly ready for this, perhaps even *eager*, if you can believe it. This was the kind of energy, of dedication, you hardly saw. It was not fame, money or lust for attention, but a drive to do what one loved. Sure you can say many people tried to do the same, but that was a very important keyword to always have in mind: Try.
Do not *try*.
DO.
This group did not try to do what they wanted to. They did. And while Alastor wished to be away from all these damn contraptions, he had respect for what he saw in the people, not their means.
Did he show it? Not a fucking chance in HELL h e would. Instead he barely nodded in everyone's direction but Emily, being far more amicable with the young Seraphim for far too many reasons to count. Chief among those reasons being that Alastor was smart enough to know where to stand.
Jack didn't seem to mind or care about the different levels of attention, nor the clear disdain that exuded from Alastor. No, the young man was as sharp as Alastor expected him to be as he stopped his talk with Emily and faced the newcomers.
"Mom, Alastor." Jack gave a quick nod Alastor's way, more than enough, considering. "I thought everyone was going to be here at once?"
"Oh, they'll be here in a moment." So Alastor wouldn't waste the young man's time. He'd cut to the chase. "But I wanted to visit early to talk about something in particular with you."
It wasn't so much a hint as it was a clear tell: This was a conversation between the two of them.
Jack was smart enough to make no fuss and instead give a quick nod and a look to his friends and family, Emily included, before he walked right next to the stairs. There, Alastor noticed, was another door that led to another room. Considering how large this house was, and how much terrain it had to play with, he was unsurprised when it came to the basement's size.
He was unhappy about being led into another room full of games and consoles; most of them old, games and consoles alike, while others were much newer. All were well cared for, with the other pieces of technology here being a television , a camera and a contraption that seemed to be some kind of adapter for so many things Alastor wouldn't bother thinking about it.
This was a more private setup for videos, and one thing Alastor did recognize was the padding this room got. It was meant to let no sound through, with the door sealing as perfectly as possible.
They had their privacy, but Jack seemed not intent on focusing his attention on Alastor. No, instead he was looking around for some disk, if the Radio Demon was to guess.
"Seems you don't consider my presence important enough, young man." Alastor hummed, not unkindly. It was just a surprising development. "Don't you have questions about what I may desire to speak with you?"
"Not particularly." Alastor narrowed his eyes as the young man kept searching. "Don't get me wrong: I don't mean I am not interested. I just mean that I know what you want."
In most other cases Alastor would call bullshit, though not quite in such words. But Jack was no stupid ignoramus and this wasn't Hell. While Alastor could easily do away with a human, weakened as he may be here in the living world, the young man didn't need to fear such an outcome… yet, at least. Not only that; they weren't on bad terms and he was very aware of his role to play, a role that Alastor himself was interested in, if only for his own purposes and, after those were fulfilled, entertainment. Jack simply had no reason to fear him, at least not directly.
Alastor would make sure to change that later. It wouldn't leave someone like Jack, a person that would interact with Alastor on the regular until otherwise needed, to be unbothered by his presence. Either Jack could become an acquaintance, perhaps a 'friend' in a way, or he'd become useful and manageable. Alastor was convinced the former would be unlikely, and he vastly preferred at least a small level of fearful respect from everyone else if possible.
On the other hand…
"I gather you deduced I'd be interested in this topic after our first talk?" Alastor would make no excuses. This all was obvious, thus Jack, unless he was indeed a dunce, would know. "It would be too bold to assume you know WHY, though?"
"Demons make deals. Demons can be summoned. Demons can be bound." Jack turned his face to look at Alastor.
The deer Sinner had made no sound at all, his movement had been imperceptible, but now he was eerily close to the young man. Alastor may hate to be touched, but he did love to touch. Not out of desire for contact. Oh no, no, no… It had to do with the power and control that touching gave you. Make someone *else* uncomfortable and it gives you an edge.
Jack didn't seem too bothered at all. There was some kind of focus on him; a conviction of some kind. If this kept going in such a way and the young man did prove himself slightly more useful than originally thought, or at least amusing, perhaps just 'using' wouldn't be his final destination.
"But more than that." Jack was blissfully unaware of Alastor's thoughts. The Radio Demon made no movement or gesture to hint at anything, instead just waiting for the young man to explain himself. "My mom told me just how strong some souls can be. You are still human, if not 'alive' anymore, like my mother. But, just like her, you are a 'demon', in a way, a demon that has others under your command. And if you are going to be part of this all? Someone is going to connect the dots about a lot of things."
Good, but not good enough. Alastor made a motion for him to continue. Jack was to prove he knew what he was talking about. This, for all the brainpower it would take a lesser person, was simply saying nothing while looking otherwise.
"Mom said Sinners cannot go to Earth. That has changed, at least for a specific few." Jack provided. "I doubt anyone would try to get my mom, or that they could. She has made it abundantly clear she is not at all impressive, when compared to you at least." Alastor chuckled, not that this had to be said. It still stroked his ego a little bit. Not much, but it proved that Jack was getting to the point. "Thing is: People will know about my mom and, soon, about you. You may be a target for summonings, though it may still not work. But information? That is much easier to come by, more so considering you were a regular person while you were alive." Alastor almost made a face. Regular? Jack seemed to catch this, even if Alastor's smile faltered just for a fraction of a second. "No offense with the 'regular' bit."
"None taken." Though his pride HAD been hurt. Then again, Alastor had indeed tried to appear normal in life to make sure no one looked at him too closely. "But this does speak well of your little deduction. I gather then that you know what I need?
"You want to know about what is in the game. The real bits, the fictional sections, the lies, the truths…" Jack enumerated until he made it clear that Alastor's motive was apparent enough. "What could harm you or tie you to someone."
"Correct." Alastor's everlasting smile became slightly more genuine at the man's simple deduction. "I wish to ensure our safety. And I do mean 'our' safety." He wasn't lying here. Stretching the truth ever so slightly? Possibly, but he knew the truth wasn't far off. "This… game… will leak. Perhaps not soon, but soon enough. There are many in Hell that would pay any price to get at someone else, or to control others. I wish for every possibility to be either secure… or gone." He looked around. Perhaps he despised these things, but the collection here was massive. Thousands of games were easily at hand. "With your expertise, and previous knowledge, I hazard to guess you'd be quick to find all there is to learn. That way we could avoid any and all possible… complications."
Jack nodded, clearly in thought for a few moments. That he didn't just bow down was both worrying and a pleasant surprise. Alastor didn't want a 'yes man' on this front. That kind of person is perhaps far worse than a chronic backstabber: Either they are blindingly loyal, or they will make your life Hell at the worst moment. Either way, he'd prefer if Jack had some terms he could meet.
"I can do that." And the calculating look on the young man's eyes as he finally found what he searched for was enough for Alastor to both satisfy his desire for a give and take that would make this a true deal, and some level of disgust as the young man clearly wanted something he'd prefer not do. "I'll even do you one better… If you accept to play a game for me."
Alastor's smile tightened. "What kind of game?"
"Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee. Original PSOne." The young man spoke as if Alastor should've known. He didn't, and his disdain was clear as Jack chuckled. "Call it a test of character."
"I fail to see how a… game like that could test my character." Alastor grumbled, much of his good nature gone. "I prefer not to touch any such frivolous entertainment if at all possible. Perhaps some boardgames of my time, even some modern ones. But this?"
"Indeed. Mom said it is widely known that you do indeed dislike most tech. Won't fault you there, it sucks something fierce from time to time. And the addiction many people have to it? Disgusting." Jack spoke with sincerity, making Alastor at least let his scorn slip by ever so slightly.
"Then what is the point of this game of yours?" Alastor decided to at least land a finger on the disk case. The image of an idiotic, smiling and alien being, with eyes much too big for Alastor's tastes, was looking his way. "Why would you wish for me to play it?"
The young man didn't disappoint, instead telling it straight. "It is a game with two endings: A bad one and a good one. A game where you can be cruel, not just to your enemies, but your allies too. You can shoot them, even yourself. You can throw them into meat grinders. You can possess your enemies and kill anything in sight. And by the end of it? You either become meat or you free slaves and destroy a corporation that would turn said slaves, and the world around them, into food and money."
Jack saw how Alastor's smile became slightly manic. The Radio Demon didn't even bother hiding the fact that such a description hit a good many number of things he'd enjoy. General cruelty and brutality being the main ones, though taking control of your enemies and the many horrid things you could do with them was ever so pleasant.
Still, not enough for Alastor to wish to touch it.
"As interesting as carnage may be, I still fail to see the appeal." Alastor hummed as he looked around, especially the camera in the room. "After all, I expect you to wish to record me while doing this."
"That is part of it, yes." Jack didn't mind admitting to this. Hiding his motives would've been a smart move, but not one he could do with Alastor, not in this setup at least. Still, Alastor would've respected him if he tried. "I have more cameras around, not just that one. And yes, the idea is to record you. Mom said you are hardly recorded because you distort things. Some'd be surprised. Me? I have seen enough fiction to know in a world of magic that can happen." And while he said that with a smile, Jack made it clear that this point was non negotiable to Alastor. The kid had some balls. "I'd like for you NOT to do that. I want your reaction in full."
Alastor narrowed his eyes to glare at the young man. "You are going to have to offer me much more than just information for that." And Alastor needed that information. But he was not about to debase himself with one of these things, all the while being recorded, just for something he needed.
"The creator of the game is no longer alive. He'd be very old now, but still alive otherwise. Sadly, a car accident got him and his immediate family dead. His granddaughter is still around and kicking, and she has continued her grandfather's dream by creating more mystery and horror games. She is quite a prolific indie creator." Alastor quickly got an idea of what the young man was proposing. And it was confirmed when Jack tapped the case of his game. "There are a hundred people to save in this game, including yourself. Finish the game with the good ending, and I'll dig all the information I can from the game with you in it. Get the hundred and I'll contact the woman. Perhaps even talk with her and with Charlie so you can visit her place and see if her grandfather kept things from the case. Likely with some supervision." This made Alastor's eyebrows shoot up ever so slightly. Jack offered a smile in return. Of course he wouldn't be able to do this alone. Not even Charlotte would trust him that much. But this was a great chance. "Apparently some of the things about your case were 'lost' when the man's own grandfather retired. I know not WHAT, but I know there are things that we won't find in the game. They should still be safe with the woman, but…"
"They'd be much safer with me." Alastor concluded with a quick nod. Then he let out a tired sigh. "Fine. I accept these terms. But on the condition that NO ONE, except you, shall see whatever is recorded here."
Jack grinned. "Not even friends and family? I swear we won't tell."
"Don't tempt me, boy." Alastor narrowed his eyes as dials formed within. "I am being more than generous by accepting this offer of yours. Remember that this may be important for ALL of us, not just me. I entertain your request because I fear you won't give me everything otherwise."
"Don't you trust me?" Jack clearly didn't seem offended by the idea, so Alastor saw no problem with being blunt.
"Not in the slightest." And he chuckled as he did so. "You have a vested interest in helping everyone, but I will not assume you to be so naive as to accept that you could be harmed, that those you care for could be harmed, without you retaliating in some way that would harm dear Charlie's plan, even at the cost of your mother's chance of redemption. If that were the case, what would happen? No one knows, not even you."
Jack seemed to mull it over for a second before he nodded. "Fair enough. I'd make sure to keep family and friends safe if it was needed. I'd hate myself for it if mom got the short end too, but I'd hate myself more if I didn't. More importantly: Mom would too." The young man sighed. "But let's think positive for now. Shall I give you a quick rundown?"
Alastor would've laughed at this sentiment in other circumstances, but considering this came from love to a mother, the deer demon relented. As for friends? Alastor knew how hard, if not borderline impossible, it was to make strong connections like the ones he had forged through a century of work.
He'd accept to give the young man some respect back. He had lost a little bit after this proposal, but Alastor knew this was not some petty entertainment. The young man had picked the game for a reason and with enough knowledge, even if superficial, of Alastor's persona.
Alastor would likely despise this time, but it also gave him a likely excuse to come over regularly and stay away from the main event unless he was required. He'd keep an eye on everyone with one of his shadows while staying away from the cameras all the while. It had its downsides, yes, but this offer had brought a hidden little treasure to make itself more interesting.
So, much to his chagrin, Alastor asked the young man to get everything ready, then give him a quick 'how to' with the damn game. It infuriated Alastor that Jack said 'no spoilers', as if it explained anything, when it came to much of the game. Alastor wasn't here to enjoy it! He was here to get things done to get what he wanted!
Not enough time anyway. A knock on the door a few minutes after he was given a quick rundown attracted the young man away, and soon Alastor was alone, in front of a hated TV, with a moronic looking humanoid bobbing his head up and down on that disgusting screen.
Alastor gritted his teeth as he pussed the start button, his hands itching to break the controller. But no, he'd endure.
There were many things at stake here. He could survive a small level of humiliation. The possible rewards far outstriped the alternative. And, at the end of the day? This pain was meaningless.
He'd come on top, and no one would remember this moment down the line, he was sure of it.