As the weekend glided by, life at the hotel adhered to its usual rhythm. Charlie busied herself with administrative tasks, Husker enjoyed his vices, Nifty cleaned the same spot several times, and Angel Dust lounged about lazily, all following their familiar routines.
While the hotel residents carried on with their routine activities, Millie's thoughts were preoccupied with the looming Monday. The prospect of being in Alastor's company weighed heavily on her mind, causing a mixture of nerves and trepidation to swirl within her. The thought of being alone with him filled her with a nagging sense of nervousness and unease.
Sure, she had been alone with the deer demon before, but this time was going to be different. This time she was going to have to use her abilities while he was nearby.
And that scared the ever loving crap out of her. Alastor wasn't stupid by any means. He was an overlord for lucifer sake! She was sure he would easily see through her lie and figure her out. Her lying skills disparately needed work, seeing as how Angel was able to tell she was lying about the phone thing almost instantly.
Caught up in her own worries, Millie failed to notice that someone was trying to get her attention until the voice calling out to her finally pierced through her distracted thoughts, jolting her attention back to the present moment. It was Angel. He called out to Millie, breaking through her distracted thoughts. "Hey, Millie doll," he quipped, noticing how preoccupied she seemed. "Ya gonna eat that or just stare at it?"
Millie, brought back to the present moment, blinked and refocused on her surroundings. She was seated at the dining table with the rest of the hotel inhabitants, participating in Charlie's idea of a Sunday dinner for bonding.
When Charlie initially told her that they all had dinner together every Sunday, Millie wasn't overly enthusiastic. Having grown accustomed to eating alone, the concept of dining with others wasn't something she was instantly drawn to. However, as she found herself seated at the table with everyone, she was happy to share a meal with others. Even Husk and Angel seemed to be excited about the weekly meal. Despite their constant grumbling about it.
Catching herself, Millie looked acrossed the table at Angel and finally responded to his question. "Oh, sorry, Angel," she said, a hint of embarrassment in her voice. "I was lost in thought for a moment."
Millie's gaze shifted from Angel to the dish before her, courtesy of Alastor. The steaming, mouth watering bowl of jambalaya was a tantalizing sight, its aroma wafting through the air and promising a culinary treat. Alastor proudly claimed that the recipe for the dish was his dear mother's, and the way he spoke of his mother left no doubt in Millie's mind that he was indeed a devoted momma's boy. This revelation surprised Millie, as she hadn't anticipated such a sentimental side to the otherwise intimidating radio demon.
It added a touch of sweetness to the image she had of the imposing radio demon...he was still creepy though.
Taking a bite of the jambalaya, Millie savored the delicious flavors that assaulted her taste buds. The mix of seasonings and spices, combined with the perfectly cooked rice and sausage, created a symphony of flavors that danced across her palate. Millie unwittingly let out a moan of pleasure as the taste of the jambalaya hit her taste buds. "Whoa, Mills," Angel chuckled with a wicked grin and wiggling his eyebrows. "You keep making those sounds and you might just give Alastor here some ideas."
Millie sputtered on her mouthful of jambalaya, choking slightly at Angel's suggestive remark. Her face reddened slightly as she tried to regain her composure. As Millie struggled to recover from her coughing fit, Husk gave her a firm pat on the back to help clear her airways. He shot a stern look across the table at Angel, scolding him for his crude comment. "Knock it off," Husk warned, his voice tinged with annoyance. "Do you wanna be the reason for her second death?"
"Sorry, sorry," Angel snickered, feigning innocence. "I was just trying to add a little spice to the conversation." He shot a sly grin at Millie. Millie recovered and thanked Husk for his help.
On the other end of the table, Alastor had heard the porn star's suggestive remark. Alastor's smile remained ever present, but his eyes narrowed slightly, signaling his irritation. The atmosphere in the room grew tense as the lights flickered and the sound of static intensified. Alastor's anger was becoming increasingly palpable.
"A piece of advice, if I may, my effeminate fellow," he chided. "Your crass comments are growing rather tiresome. Perhaps it would be wise to mind your tongue," his voice was a mixture of calm menace. Angel, unperturbed by Alastor's warning, merely smirked slyly. "Oh, lighten up a little, Smiles. It's just a joke," he retorted.
The radio static grew louder.
Husk, growing irritated, reached across the table to give Angel a hard smack on the back of the head. "Knock it off, Angel," Husk warned gruffly. Angel rubbed the back of his head where Husk had struck him, feigning pain. "Jeez, Husky," he grumbled, pouting theatrically. "I was just trying to keep things interesting."
Husk rolled his eyes at Angel's dramatic display. "Well, you're doing a helluva job of being irritating," he retorted dryly. Angel turned to Alastor with a semi-apology. "Alright, alright, sorry, Smiles. I'll tone it down a bit," his tone was not quite sincere.
The lights stopped flicking and the static stopped. Angel received a 'Hm' from Alastor in return. Charlie chimed in nervously, her voice strained as she attempted to maintain the peace. "Good.. good that Angel apologized," she said, her words faltering mildly. Meanwhile, Vaggie's rage was palpable, her eyes locked on Alastor, and Charlie had to hold her back from lunging across the table.
Vaggie's eyes glinted with a fiery anger as she seethed, her voice a low growl as she struggled against Charlie's hold. "Apology or not, I still have a few choice words for this pendejo," she gritted through clenched teeth. Alastor, a sly smile playing on his face, calmly responded to Vaggie's obvious irritation. "Oh, please, dear Vagatha," he said, his tone dripping with false sweetness. "There's no need to be so feisty. We're all friends here, after all."
"Why you!" Vaggie started, but was interrupted at the sound of laughter. Everyone's eyes turned towards the sound of laughter, it was Millie. She couldn't help herself, the humor of the situation had taken hold of her. Even though she hadn't known them for long, seeing everyone fussing and joking with each other gave her a strange feeling of comfort and belonging.
Husk gave a small scoff, a hint of a smile on his face. Charlie looked relieved and somewhat amused, Vaggie was taken aback, but there was a flicker of something soft in her eyes. And as for Angel... well, he simply smirked, seemingly pleased that he had triggered the outburst.
With Millie's laughter subsided, an air of easement filled the room. The tension from before had abated, leaving a sense of lightness as everyone returned to their meals.
Alastor's gaze slowly shifted from the others back to Millie, his attention focused on the mouse demon. Her laughter sparked something within him. The Radio Demon, known for his twisted sense of humor and sadistic tendencies, wasn't used to experiencing such feelings. He found it both surprising and somewhat unsettling how a simple laugh could have such an effect on him.
He continued to eat, occasionally letting a "hmm" of contemplation escape his lips.
Monday morning arrived, marking a new week. Millie readied for work with a sense of dread. The thought of Alastor being her escort to the shop lingered in her mind like a dark cloud. After dinner last night, Alastor told her what time they were going to leave in the morning before he strolled past her to his radio tower.
She got up early, got ready for the day and headed downstairs to the kitchen. She had started getting up earlier than she usually did to have a cup of tea on one of the balconies she found while exploring the hotel. She had come to enjoy starting her mornings this way. It was calming to sit and watch the hellish sky brighten, signifying morning had come. She poured a cup of tea, grabbed some fruit, and headed for the balcony.
She sipped her tea and took bites of the fruit as she watched the sky. She had about an hour before she had to meet Alastor in the lobby. She was still worried about how she was going to pull this off without him suspecting much. She knew he was already curious about how she acquired the books she sold. She'd decided that she was going to 'handle the delivery' in the backroom of the shop. She just needed to make sure that he stayed in the front area.
Millie finished her tea and fruit and headed back to the kitchen to clean and put away the cup. Afterwards, she headed to the lobby just as Alastor materialized by the door.
"Good morning, my dear," Alastor chimed, his eyes practically twinkling. Millie acknowledged his greeting with a polite nod. "Good morning," she responded, her voice steady despite the unease she felt in his presence. Alastor noticed her slight hesitance, but chose not to comment on it. Instead, he continued his friendly demeanor, his smile never faltering.
"Ready for our little trip my dear?" He offered her his arm. Millie glanced at his extended arm, her slight skepticism lingering, but she quickly pushed it aside. Straightening her shoulders, she decided to be polite and take his arm.
"Ready as I'll ever be," she replied, trying to sound nonchalant. Despite her effort to appear calm and composed, her twitching ears and tail betrayed her true feelings. Alastor noticed, but pretended not to, at least for now. His smile maintained its fixed position.
"Excellent," he responded, his tone cheerful. "Let's get going, shall we?"
For once, Alastor decided against using his shadows to travel. Millie was grateful for that. While his shadows were a fast way to travel, it left her feeling queasy. It was still early enough in the morning that few sinners were out and about. The ones that were, did everything they could to avoid the radio demon and his companion. Some hid in dumpsters, while others set themselves on fire. A few even ran into oncoming traffic. Millie was horrified at the sight of it all. Alastor, on the other hand reveled in their abject terror, finding pleasure in their panicked reactions.
"What a beautiful morning it is, wouldn't you agree, my dear?" he said with a hint of smugness, as if oblivious to the chaos he inflicted upon those around them.
Millie instinctively tensed at his words, her ears flattening against her head. But she forced herself to maintain a neutral expression and replied politely. "Uh, yeah, it is a nice morning," she agreed, her voice just a bit strained. She tried to look like the chaos didn't bother her but her tail wrapping around her leg subtly gave away her unease.
He chuckled softly, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Ah, your body language betrays you, my dear. You certainly don't seem too relaxed," he teased gently. Alastor, having noticed Millie's difficulty in controlling her ears and tail, offered her a proposition. "I can teach you how to control them better," he said. "It'll help you conceal your true feelings better, my dear."
Millie turned her head to look at him, her ears perking up at his proposal. "Why would you offer to teach me that?" she asked, her voice betraying a mixture of suspicion and interest.
"Oh, my dear," he began, his voice low and smooth. "Consider it a favor. I enjoy helping others…especially when they provide me with such delightful company."
As Alastor spoke, his voice dropped to a low, smooth tone, sending a slight shiver through Millie's spine. He mentioned that helping her would be a favor, and that he enjoyed assisting others, especially when the company was as delightful as hers. Something about that last part made her ears twitch a bit, and her tail swished slightly.
"Um... right," she mumbled, her thoughts a bit cloudy from his words.
Alastor, sensing her hesitation, suggested an alternative offer. "If you'd rather not learn to control your ears and tail, I suppose I could help you master that rather intriguing shrinking ability of yours instead," he said, his smile growing mischievous. Millie's interest was immediately piqued at Alastor's offer. The idea of learning how to control her shrinking ability was tempting. She had often wished she could use it how and when she wanted.
Seeing the spark of interest in Millie's eyes, Alastor knew he had piqued her curiosity. The offer to help her control her shrinking ability was clearly tempting for her, and he used this to gain her trust.
"Ah, I see you're quite intrigued by the prospect," he said. "It certainly would be a useful skill to have, wouldn't it, my dear?"
"Yes," she replied, "I'd like that...I'd like that very much."
Millie's tail twitched anxiously as she asked the radio demon what he wanted in return for his help. The thought of owing a favor or some sort of payment to him made her nervous.
"That... that sounds really helpful," she repeated, her voice growing timid and a bit shaky. "But I have to ask.. umm, what would I have to do in return? You, uh, you aren't doing this for nothing, right?"
"Oh, my dear," he began, his voice soft. "There's always a price to pay, as you well know. You're a smart girl." He paused for a moment, his eyes studying her intently before continuing. "And my price, my dear, is your time and company."
Millie blinked and wiggled her ears. She clearly misheard him. "So, I'd have to spend time with you, and keep you company?" she managed to say, her voice laced with a hint of uncertainty.
"Precisely, my dear," Alastor confirmed with a nod. He seemed pleased with her response, his smile widening slightly. "You'll have to dedicate a portion of your time and your presence to keep me company. It's a small price to pay, really, for the knowledge and power you'll gain in return. As for what we'll do during our time together, I'll leave that entirely up to you, my dear." The Radio Demon's offer to let her decide what they would do together was unexpected. She had expected him to be more domineering and controlling, but he surprised her with his openness.
"Wait, you're letting me choose?" she asked, her voice a bit confused. "Indeed," Alastor confirmed. "I believe it's only fair that you get to choose how we spend our time together. After all, it's no fun if you're not enjoying yourself, my dear."
Millie took a moment to consider her options carefully. She didn't want to spend more time with the Radio Demon than she had to, so she came up with an idea. She offered that he could join her during her morning routine, having tea and breakfast together on one of the hotel's balconies while they read.
"Very well," Alastor acquiesced, his smile still present. "I'll join you for your morning routine. Tea and reading on the balcony for an hour or two every morning. I do hope you won't find my company too dull, my dear. Though, I'll be switching the tea for coffee. I've never cared for tea, my dear."
Alastor chimed in, a hint of humor in his voice. "And if it's not too much trouble," he said, "I'll be expecting you to recommend a suitable book for me to read. I wouldn't want our time together to be monotonous, now would we?"
Millie perked up. This was her expertise, talking about books! Her face lit up as she started to talk about a book she had just started. "Oh, this book is so good!" she gushed, her tone enthusiastic. "It's a murder mystery, set in the '20s in New Orleans. The mystery and history are intertwined so well."
Alastor chuckled at Mille's enthusiastic reaction, observing her eagerly animated demeanor. He leaned in slightly, his smile growing wider.
"A murder mystery in the 1920s in New Orleans, you say?" he repeated with genuine interest. "That sounds absolutely intriguing. Do share more about this book. I'm all ears, my dear." He wiggled his ears at the pun. Learning that the book was set in the decade he was alive in, and more specifically in his own hometown of New Orleans, his interest piqued even more. He told her that he was alive during the 20's and that New Orleans was his home.
Millie's ears perked up again, her eyes widening at his revelation. She paused for a moment, taking in what he had said. "Wait, really?" she asked. Alastor couldn't help but puff out his chest in pride as he reminisced about his past. He looked quite pleased with himself as he began to recount tales from the 1920s. "Yes, my dear," he confirmed, his voice filled with a hint of nostalgia. "Ah, what a time it was. I was quite the character back then, you know."
As they reached the shop, Millie was pleasantly surprised to see that it hadn't been damaged. Alastor had kept his word and made sure it was safeguarded in her absence. Millie unlocked the door and stepped inside, only to be surprised by a flurry of shadows. Alastor's minions swiftly materialized, their presence surrounding her and the Radio Demon.
"Just as I promised, my shadows have kept watch and ensured its protection."
"Whoa..." she breathed, as the minions took up positions around them. Her gaze darted around the dark, writhing masses, their movements like living, smoky tendrils. Millie turned to the taller demon, "T-thank you for keeping your promise, Alastor," she gave him a grateful smile.
Alastor inclined his head slightly in acknowledgment, a small smile on his lips. "It was no trouble, my dear," he said, a hint of smugness in his voice. "I gave you my word that I would protect your shop, and I'm a demon of my word. Besides, it would be rather rude of me to let your business suffer, wouldn't you agree?"
Millie nodded at his statement and made her way towards the backroom. She asked that he wait there while she spoke with her 'delivery guy'. Alastor's smile tightened slightly at the request, but he nodded in compliance. "Very well," he agreed, his voice neutral. "I shall wait here while you attend to your business with your 'delivery man'."
Alastor leaned casually on his microphone and waited patiently. After a couple of minutes, he grew somewhat bored and sent one of his shadowy minions to discreetly follow Millie. Alastor's shadow silently entered the backroom, completely unnoticed by Millie. It slunk low to the floor, its form blending seamlessly into the background. However, just as it got closer, Millie quickly pulled out her quill extension and materialized a pile of books that she needed for the library that week.
She managed to do so just in time, not giving the shadow enough time to observe her actions. The shadow, slightly frustrated at having been denied a chance to spy on Millie's actions, gave a low growl and retreated from the backroom. Millie didn't notice the shadow's departure as she returned to the other room to ask Alastor for help boxing up the books. "Ah, my dear, finished your discussion with your 'delivery man' so soon?" he teased, his tone light. "Everything went well, I presume?"
Millie could feel the nerves welling up within her. She attempted to sound as convincing as possible as she responded to Alastor's query.
"Y-yeah, everything went... well," she stuttered, her voice betraying a hint of nervousness. "Um, just some business stuff, you know."
Millie asked for Alastor's help with boxing up the books. He graciously obliged, using his magic to quickly complete the task. With a snap of his fingers, he teleported the books directly to the hotel's library.
"There you are, my dear," he said, his voice slightly smug. "All the books are now at the hotel's library, as promised."
"Thank you! I think that's it until next Monday at least. We can head back now." Millie said as she looked around her shop. Alastor, ever the gentleman, held the door open for Millie to go through first. She was about to when she stopped and asked Alastor to wait outside for a moment.
"I'll j-just be a second, I need to grab s-something," she said, her tone somewhat hurried. Alastor raised an eyebrow, a slight frown of impatience on his face, but he obliged. "Very well, my dear," he agreed, his tone somewhat exasperated. "I'll wait here, but do try to be quick, hmm?"
Millie quickly moved to a specific bookshelf in her shop, her eyes scanning the spines of the books until she found the one she was looking for. She pulled the book off the shelf and glanced at the title, a small smile on her face. Millie headed outside. closed and locked the door behind her. With the shop securely locked up and his shadows resuming their guarding, Millie and Alastor began their walk back to the hotel.
As they walked, Alastor broached the topic of their training sessions, suggesting that they start as soon as possible. "I believe it would be best to begin our training as soon as we can, my dear," he suggested, his voice smooth and calm. "How about a couple of hours every day, once you're done with your work?"
Millie considered Alastor's proposal, her eyes shifting in thought. Two hours a day after work was a significant time commitment, but she knew it was necessary if she wanted to learn how to control her shrinking ability. "Alright," she replied, her voice soft but determined. "A couple of hours every evening after you're done with your work sounds doable."
Alastor's smile grew wider at Millie's agreement. "Excellent," he said, his voice dripping with satisfaction.
Upon their arrival at the hotel, Millie handed Alastor the book she'd grabbed from her shop. "Here," she said, offering the book to him. "I thought you might like this." Alastor took the book, his smile remaining as he looked down at the cover. He was intrigued to see what book she had chosen. "Ah, what have we here?" he inquired, his tone filled with curiosity.
"I thought you'd like this," she said. "It's another murder mystery novel, similar to the one I'm reading. I think you'll find it quite gripping."
Alastor examined the book in his hands, turning it over and running his fingers along the cover. He had to admit, the title piqued his interest, and he was curious to delve into the story. "Well, this certainly seems intriguing," he murmured to himself. Alastor's eyes glanced up momentarily from the book to look at Millie, "You do have good taste, my dear," he complimented, his voice gentle.
A warm smile brightened her face. "Well, I better get to work," she said, gesturing towards the library. "Books won't sort themselves." With that, she made her way to the library to begin her daily tasks, leaving Alastor on his own.
Alastor stood in place for a moment, watching as Millie hurried towards the library. As she disappeared from his sight, he faded into a dark, smoky form and slipped into the shadows, using them to navigate to his tower.
Once there, he summoned the shadow he sent to spy on Millie earlier. "Well, what did you see?" The shadow warbled an answer to its master. Alastor's smile widened at the shadow's report. "Ah, so she was alone in there, hm?" he mused, his tone dripping with interest. "No mysterious delivery man, then?"
The shadow nodded in confirmation, its formless body twitching slightly. His suspicions about Millie's 'delivery man' were confirmed by the shadow's observations. "Ah, my little shadow, you've done a splendid job," he mused, a hint of triumph in his voice.
"Sneaky little mouse," Alastor's smile turned cruel.