Author note: Welcome back! Special shout out to my first seven followers, thanks a million! Now onto some more drama at the hotel. Enjoy!

Chapter 15: Slithery Serpent Shenanigans

Taylor opened the door again. The cobra demon nervously stared at their wrist watch before returning their attention to the fire demon. Taylor spoke in a warning tone.

"What do you want? I wouldn't let Alastor find you right now, he's still gonna pretty murder-y about the coat incident." Taylor started closing the door.

"Wait, wait! I come in peaccccce!" Sir Pentious hissed out hastily as he flashed a peace sign.

Charlie and Vaggie came up behind Taylor, curious.

"Is there a problem, Taylor?" Charlie spotted the newcomer. "Oh! Hello again!"

Sir Pentious looked frantic as he continued.

"I didn't come looking for a fight! I, uhh… heard that you're helping people, people who want to do better?" He looked up with a hopeful expression.

Charlie gasped, opened the door, and grabbed Sir Pentious by the hands, bringing him inside. She started singing the hotel's praises as Angel put an arm out, stopping Charlie from moving forward.

"Are you fucking nuts? This chump was trying to kill us like literally six hours ago! And now you want to bring him in to live with us?" He said indignantly.

"I agree with Angel, Charlie. He damaged the hotel and assaulted a staff member just today. Granted, it was Alastor, but it seems too quick of a turn around for a true change of heart." Taylor added.

"Guys, this place is all about second chances! And who deserves one more than this slithery…slimy…special little man!" Charlie pleaded.

Angel turned to Vaggie in the hopes she could reason with Charlie.

"Aren't ya supposed to protect this place?"

It only took a moment of Charlie's puppy dog look for Vaggie to crumble and conceded that Sir Pentious wasn't a serious threat, with or without the zeppelin. Charlie cheered, spun Vaggie around merrily, and led Sir Pentious and Vaggie into the lobby, who thanked Charlie graciously.

"Eh, I give it a week, tops." Angel grunts.

"Put me down for two." Taylor added, still unsure of what to make of the situation.

The spider and fire demon followed the others as Charlie gave an overly detailed tour of the hotel. Vaggie stopped her, telling her to relax.

"I'm sorry, I'm just so glad to have our first real guest!" Charlie exclaimed.

"Hey!" Both Angel and Taylor protest, offended.

"Uh, what the hell are we then?" Angel asked.

Charlie looked sheepish as she spoke.

"Well Angel, you are an important part of this family, but, uhh…"

"You constantly make us look bad, sexually harass the staff and guests, and have never once tried to improve." Vaggie said flatly.

"And me?" Taylor questioned.

"Taylor, you're so helpful around here, we hardly think of you as a guest!" Charlie explained. "Point is, it's nice to have someone interested for once."

Charlie, Vaggie, and Sir Pentious walked away to introduce the newcomer to Nifty as Taylor and Angel remained, miffed and saddened, respectively. Taylor hesitated for a moment before gingerly wrapping an arm around Angel's waist and pulled him closer in an attempt of a side hug. Due to the height difference, Angel laid an arm affectionately around their head, making Taylor laugh at the absurd looking hug.

"Don't worry about what they said Angel. I've seen the good in you, they just have to look and see it too." They looked up at Angel. "I see it like they just got a new puppy. It's gonna get a lot of attention at first, but things will go back to normal soon enough" Taylor comforted.

"Thanks, Fuoco." He covertly brushed some dust out of his eye.

They both joined the group again as Charlie nearly ran into Alastor on the stairs. The blonde demoness nervously reintroduced Sir Pentious. Alastor's eyes glowed red as he replied sinisterly that he definitely remembered the one who ruined his coat. Charlie encouraged Sir Pentious to apologize, and in doing so, Sir Pentious offered the scrap of fabric as a peace offering. Alastor sounded touched by the gesture, before he gleefully set the fabric on fire with a green flame, to both Charlie and Sir Pentious's shock. Taylor couldn't help but stifle a laugh at their expressions.

Charlie then gathered everyone to play an icebreaker game to introduce Sir Pentious. Charlie instructed everyone to copy her.

"My name is Charlie" she clapped twice, "I like to sing." Two more claps, "and when we get to know each other it's the greatest thing!" Two more claps. She indicated cheerily to the cobra demon, who got flustered at being put on the spot. Sir Pentious did well, to Taylor's surprise. He said his name, that he liked to build, and despite his Egg Boiz he was very skilled. 'Ohh, so those were the things he was talking to in the zeppelin. I thought I smelled eggs when they splattered.' Taylor realized.

Taylor was still put out at Charlie and Vaggie for hurting Angel's feelings, but decided swallow their anger and play along for the moment. Sighing, they sang.

"My name is Taylor" two claps, "I can wield fire" they clapped twice as their hands became engulfed in flames. "And if you get on my bad side, things will get pretty dire!" They clapped twice as they look pointedly at Sir Pentious and extinguished the flames.

Angel, who was on their phone, grinned as Charlie laughed awkwardly and Vaggie rolled their eye. Sir Pentious gulped and scooted away from the fire demon. Angel proclaimed that the game was stupid and refused to play. Vaggie smirked as they said to get with the picture, as this was to be his whole day.

The final activity was a skit where Angel was cast as a crackhead trying to tempt Sir Pentious, dressed as a child, to partake in drugs. Taylor sat on the sofa, watching boredly as the script was very cringy and all of the previous activities were much in the same way. Angel flatly delivered his lines, expressing disbelief at the vocabulary, as Sir Pentious put on a overly dramatic performance. Once the scene was over, Charlie praised him profusely and declared that they'd surely be redeemed in no time. Sir Pentious drank up the praise as Taylor got up to stretch.

That was the final straw as Angel slinked off, saying that he was going to bed to no one in particular. Taylor noted Angel's departure and made to follow him. No one noticed the two demons leave as Charlie kept congratulating Sir Pentious. Taylor walked with Angel in silence until they reached their rooms. Taylor turned to Angel and said encouragingly,

"For the record, I didn't find the activities relevant either. Neither of us need our self-confidences boosted like Sir Pentious, so we ought to tell Charlie to try a different approach with us."

"Yeah, okay." Angel replied down-spirited as he entered his room. Taylor sighed before making the decision to head back down to have a talk with Charlie and Vaggie.

The lobby was empty, as it seemed everyone went to bed. Taylor went to retrieve their book on pyromancy from the parlor when they heard a soft laugh and the hiss of static. They sighed wearily. 'Ugh, here we go.' they groaned internally. Turning around, Alastor sat in an armchair, sipping an amber liquid and leafing through Taylor's book.

"Good evening, chum! Getting some midnight reading done too?"

"Hello Alastor. No, I wanted to talk to Charlie, but it'll have to wait until tomorrow. May I have my book back, please?" They greeted flatly.

"Quite the interesting read, where ever did you find this edition?" He asked with fake interest.

"Hotel library." They lied. He stared back expectantly, book still in hand, "Did you need anything or is this going to turn into a book club meeting?" They deadpanned.

Alastor guffawed as a laugh track played in the background.

"Ha! That would be most ridiculous, wouldn't it? But you are correct, I'm not here to compare literary tastes." He smirked as he stood up, setting his drink and the book down on the side table. "I came to inquire on how you were faring these days."

Alarm bells started to ring in Taylor's head.

"Since when do you care how I'm doing?"

"I'm responsible for the safety of the hotel guests, chum! Of course I care!" He smiled mischievously as he glanced at Taylor's side. "How are the stitches healing?"

"Fine, thanks. Husk did a good job." Taylor answered uneasily.

"Excellent! And that back injury from your tumble out of bed?"

"It's fine."

"Splendid! And how about the chest injury?"

Taylor tensed, but kept their discomfort from showing on their face.

"How do you know about that?"

"I'm very observant, chum. You were walking stiffly after your meeting, so I presumed you got into a kerfuffle with those angels." He smiled slyly.

Taylor clenched their jaw, trying to ascertain what Alastor's point was with all the questions.

"Lastly, how are you after being stomped on during the blackout this afternoon?"

"I'm doing fine, Alastor. I'm no worse for wear." Taylor answered, annoyed.

Alastor smiled deviously, as if he got the answer he was waiting for.

"Ha! And that is the curious thing, isn't it? You've been battered and bruised nearly nonstop in the past few days, yet you appear healthy as a horse! Not a bruise or scratch on you! Even with demon regeneration, your recovery rate is astounding!"

Taylor flinched as they started to see where he was going with this.

"So I heal fast, what's the big deal?"

Alastor idly inspected his claws as he answered.

"I've been around quite a while, so I've learned a few things on how things work down here. There are only a few means to accelerate healing as quickly as yours." He held up one finger. "One, healing spells. Those little things will perk you right up, but they are quite expensive. But I don't sense any residual magic on you so that can't be the reason." He started to pace slowly around Taylor like a shark. "Two, you've gone and consumed another demon, absorbing their essence, bolstering your regeneration and strength. But I don't see that kind of hunger in you to take a soul for that purpose, so that isn't it either." He stood behind Taylor and grasped their shoulders as he drew close. Taylor felt his warm breath on their neck as they shivered in discomfort. "Third, making deals for demon's souls, fortifying your strength, and, in times of need, drawing from their essence." He chuckled darkly. "Of course, that destroys the signer's existence in the process. You must have quite the number of souls under your belt to use as reserves as often as you have."

Taylor was shocked that it was possible to use a contracted soul as a backup source of vitality. 'But then again, why am I surprised? Things operate so differently down here.' they thought cynically.

Alastor let go of Taylor's shoulders as they moved to face them. Leaning forward, his grin looked wild as he spoke excitedly.

"That's it, isn't it? All that scampering off you've been doing for that so-called job of yours, the explosive growth of your fire abilities and physical prowess, the substantial amount of money you've hoarded away in your room, it explains it all! Imagine if our dear Charlie knew! Her ever so helpful firebrand, forcing souls under their control!" He leaned back and started to laugh in a self-congratulatory manner, as if he'd figured out a massive secret.

Taylor's eyes widened as they realized how much surveillance they were under without realizing. 'I've gotta be much more careful from now on.' But calmed down some as Alastor didn't seem to know about their soul contract annulling ability nor their patron's mark.

'Fine, let him have the wrong idea.' they decided.

Taylor laughed back with the same boisterousness as Alastor, making the demon pause in his revelry and stare back with narrowed eyes.

"That is an interesting theory. But sadly, I am just a lowly consultation assistant seeking redemption and have no devious backstory or ulterior motives to entertain you with." They said dismissively as they shrugged their shoulders. "You can go ahead and tell Charlie your idea, she wouldn't believe you anyway. I'm just too helpful, right?"

Maybe it was the heightened energy they felt from the soul contracts they annulled, but they felt impish and had a vengeful thought. They quickly looked at the Radio Demon, feigning offense. "And I never took you for one to root around people's drawers. And you've been admonishing me for lack of manners! Tut tut!" Despite Alastor keeping their wide smile, the increased hiss in static was a giveaway that a nerve was struck. Spurred on that they garnered a reaction, they shook their head, "do you also go through Angel's things? Now I'd like to know what kind of naughty things you've been handling."

Taylor heard an ear-piercingly loud hiss of static and a sickening snap as they instinctually jumped back to get some distance. 'Shit, I took it too far, didn't I?' they thought with dread. Before them, the Radio Demon had grown a crown of antlers, their eyes were replaced with glowing pinpoint red pupils with black sclera, and they had grown in height as their limbs were stretched out thin. Their grin had grown nightmarishly wide with blood dripping down the sides. This wasn't the form Taylor had seen before, and it made them shuddered a bit. They kicking themselves internally for not keeping their attitude in check.

"I've been incredibly gracious with your continued insolence, Taylor. If Charlie hadn't forbidden it, I would have ripped your soul apart long ago." Came a low and distorted voice dripped with malice. Taylor realized that this was the first time Alastor used their name, and it unnerved them. "You play the part of an innocent Sinner seeking salvation, but I see otherwise." They raised a clawed hand and pointed at Taylor, making them take a step back as a precaution. They laughed darkly. "You saw a fraction of my strength when toying with that pitiful serpent today, and I couldn't help but notice your delightful overawed reaction."

Taylor swallowed dryly. They were indeed intimidated by Alastor, but not scared of him. That was reserved for their patron, who had free reign over their existence and tortured them regularly without consequence. Steeling their nerves, they spoke up.

"No doubt you're powerful. But I wouldn't push me either, I might end up being a challenge after all." They said steely.

With a gravely laugh, Alastor reverted to normal with another bone-snapping crack. The hiss of static ceased as Alastor scoffed.

"Oh, dear chum! You, a challenge? You're still a hatchling in a swamp full of gators!" They turned to leave and added condescendingly. "As long as you keep out of my way, you needn't worry that fiery head of yours!"

Taylor knew they shouldn't, but their mouth ran before their brain could stop them.

"Since we're showing concern for one another, I have a question for you as well: How is the hand healing up?"

The hiss of static came back shrilly as Taylor braced for what was to come.

Suddenly, a series of crashes from the direction of Charlie's office snapped the two demon's attention away from each other. Taylor looked back and Alastor was gone. Taylor held their head as they calmed down. 'Holy shit, I have to learn to shut my mouth around him. But…maybe after all the energy I absorbed today, I could have at least held my own until Charlie stepped in.' they speculated as they breathed a sigh of relief. With that, they ran up the stairs and over to the source of the commotion.

Taylor arrived at the same time as Charlie and Vaggie, who were dressed in sleepwear and looked groggy. They all peered into the office and saw Angel angrily standing over Sir Pentious, who was shrinking away in fear on the floor.

"What's going on?" Taylor called out.

"This little bitch is a traitor!" Angel accused angrily.

Sir Pentious slithered over to Charlie and Vaggie, hugging them as he protested,

"Preposterous! I'd never betray you! You… are my best friends!"

Angel walked over to the bookcase as he responded.

"Uh huh, then explain this!" He moved some books aside and a hidden VoxTech camera was revealed. The group gasped in shock as Sir Pentious shoved the demonesses away and started scrambling toward the window in a panic. He wailed into his wrist watch.

"Abort! Abort! S.O.S! Agent Pentious in need of immediate evacuation!"

From the watch everyone heard the voice of the infamous TV demon Vox, sounding incredulous.

"Pentious? You were caught already? It hasn't even been a day!"

"Please! You've got to get me out of here!" Pentious pleaded desperately.

Vox laughed mercilessly before their tone turned malicious.

"I can't believe we thought you could handle something so simple. Do us a favor, if they don't kill you, do it yourself, YOU MISERABLE FAILURE!"

Taylor was incensed at the callousness. They ran over and grabbed the watch, hurling it into the wall before it crashed to the ground. Sir Pentious hadn't even responded to Taylor as he laid on the ground with a resigned expression and started to tear up.

"Just make it quick, I guess. Not that I deserve it."

Vaggie moved forward with her spear as she spoke firmly.

"Gladly."

Taylor stared at the pitiful cobra demon and recognized the look of resigned hopelessness. It was the same one that had overtaken them after they received their patron's mark. The same one that some of their clients had when they recounted their stories of abuse at their dealmakers. Taylor grasped Vaggie's spear, stopping it, as they kept their gaze on the cobra.

"Wait." They said firmly.

Charlie ran up and extended a hand to the tearful cobra demon.

"Sir Pentious?"

Charlie began singing about how a simple sorry was the first step at getting forgiveness. Sir Pentious sang back dramatically that he didn't deserve such amnesty as Vaggie and Angel questioned why they couldn't just spill his guts right now. Charlie conceded that it could be an option, but that everyone had been in the position of needing a second chance. She concluded with the refrain that sorry was where the journey of forgiveness began. Taylor felt inspired to apologize to Sir Pentious for threatening him.

There was a moment of quiet before they heard Nifty at the doorway behind them, looking upset. She stalked up to Pentious, kicked him, and proclaimed that the song was lame and he wasn't a real bad boy. She huffed as she walked away. Pentious rubbed where he was kicked as Charlie sighed contentedly, letting everyone know it was a good first day and that all should go back to bed. The group agreed and started to part ways.

Taylor stopped Pentious by putting a hand on his shoulder. He fearfully flinched at the contact before Taylor spoke gently.

"Sorry for scaring you earlier. Can we start over tomorrow?" Sir Pentious looked at them suspiciously, but nodded.

Later, Taylor got into bed and ran through the eventful day in their head. 'At least I get to sleep tonight. I'll need the rest if days like this are going to be the norm.' They yawned and drifted off immediately.