Chapter IX - Part I
Ok. At last a chapter where the word 'worldwide' starts taking effect and sounds proper. But we'll start slowly with a little scene between Lucien and Dominic that will be a lot more important later on… Not saying more there. After that? Have a little bit from Gina's side with the girls as they get ready for the interview, only for a new side quest to barge in with a phone call. So let's get the ball rolling.
As a side note and fun fact to clear things for those still wondering:
Certain organizations and business do not get to keep the same name they have here (Youtube is Bluetube for example. Stupid, simple, and easy to connect) while games, series and the like have a more direct connection to the 'canon' universe (ours, so to speak) and they remain unchanged. Why? Ask God, I just thought of doing it this way.
* Earth - Green Leaves City - Mayberry Household - Lucien *
There are many things Lucien would like to do in life. One of them? Making sure his family got themselves a worry free life.
That wasn't going to happen right now.
"Dom, you are going to have an aneurysm."
Certainly not with his brother getting worried as he was.
Could he fault him? No. Would he be happy to strangle him for a while? YES.
Look, Lucien loved Dominic with all his might. The man was a giant teddy bear (that could crush you into paste), he cared for Lucien and their parents like nothing else and he was always there when needed. But his constant worrying wasn't helping any and it could be one of his worst qualities.
Let's speak truths: Lucien had many negative attributes to his name, that much he knew. One of his worst was his selfishness. Admittedly it was generally ignored, mostly because, to him, 'selfish' meant trying to make his adoptive family happy. As such most just considered him to be a concerned son/brother most of the time.
You may think that to be altruistic, but Lucien was very aware of what he wanted.
He knew even better to what lengths he'd go to achieve it. That it was mentioned before just how violent, or downright dangerous, Lucien could be despite his farility was no coincidence.
Lucien turned around and away from his station to look at the fretting giant young man.
He could understand, you know?
Their parents hadn't asked about all of this, with the keyword here being the unspoken *YET*. Because both mother and father had hounded them a bit and spoke of how Lucien and Dominic both had been acting a bit differently. How could they fucking not!? Especially after yesterday. To know there could easily be a trillion alien entities very violence and brutally happy basically at your doorstep was not exactly a calming experience, despite assurances from the princess of that place.
Sure as all heck it didn't help that Jack was asked to join today's stream. It wasn't that the load would be too big for Dom and Lucien to bear, what with the amount of idiots that joined the other day being multiplied for the stream that had to take place in a few minutes. That much Dom could deal with. He could be all nice and shit, but banhammering was a time honored tradition online that Dominic loved to apply in force when someone was being a real dick. The problem here was that Dominic was apprehensive about the idea of sitting next to what, in Dom's exact words, he had categorized as 'hot demon girls'.
Because that was a possibility and Lucien was painfully aware at how much of a dork his brother was under that titan body of his.
Still, good for Jack. And all the better, really. Lucien was sure that Jack got a thing for Emily going on, though at the same time the young man was somewhat certain it was Jack placing Emily on a pedestal. I mean, Lucien was not stupid here; Emily was not hot, traditionally, but she was damn cute and a dear. What she was, for real, was Jack's savior. Jack was alive BECAUSE of Emily, and both Jack and Sarah reunited thanks to Emily. So it wasn't strange for there to be 'something' going on.
Whether Jack did something about it was something else entirely. Mostly because Lucien was sure Emily knew zilch about romance and probably didn't see the signs. Probably wouldn't see them until they hit her in the face, if Jack ever did anything that is.
Anyway, back to his focus: His panicking brother.
"Dom." Lucien finally spoke up, managing to stop the rocking in place that Dominic was doing for a second. "Can you at least tell me what is going on?"
This situation wouldn't irk Lucien as much if Dominic had at least managed to share his problems. Dom always shared. He was a very honest man with his brother if nothing else. But yesterday? And today? Zilch.
It worried Lucien.
When Dominic said nothing Lucien found himself pressing his brother on. "You have acted perfectly fine all the while." And he did because his worry growing could make him do something stupid. No, not Dominic. Lucien. He knew himself far too well, and being self aware was not something everyone was capable of. "You hid this from mom and dad, you have hidden it from everyone else. You waited until Jack and the others were gone." And acting up could cost him a lot right now. Hurting others, when undeserved, was not something Lucien would like to do. "So, please. Tell me?"
But it wasn't something he hadn't done before.
All he could think of?
'For fuck's sake, Dom. Talk. Don't MAKE me force you.'
There is one thing hidden in plain sight among the three friends. While Jack was very much the voice and 'leader' in a sense, that did not mean the others did not take the head when needed.
Jack was a balanced person in all senses you'd call 'Neutral'.
Dominic was the true empathy of the group, filling the 'Good' trope.
Lucien was the cruel little trickster that'd fall in the 'Evil' category.
Of course that things weren't just that simple, and indeed 'Good' and 'Evil' were just things humans made to fill the blanks and feel themselves superior to mere animals. That, and a species as a whole tends to find certain things distasteful, up until the individuals make their own decisions and preferences.
Humans, in general, are more complex than most other animals and thus make far more personal decisions when allowed to. Just like being a little troll and ass with most people, and being caring and loving with those he feels close to, Lucien's very conniving persona to keep everything going smoot and 'happy' could also take drastic measures 'For the greater good'.
And that, in itself, could be considered evil. Why? Because Lucien was not a bad person, but he was willing to become one if it helped along the way.
So yes, he'd force his brother to spill the beans if necessary.
Luckily for all involved, Dominic also knew this, and knew that Lucien was just trying to help him out, even if he could be brutal about it. Jack did too. Perhaps the only ones to not understand would've been their parents. After all, the darker nature of Lucien was not something he had made public.
…
Lucien made a face then. Emily would probably not like it either. To be frank here, Lucien didn't want to hurt the girl in any way if possible, but after seeing them all together at their best, would Emily feel cheated if she saw any of them, Jack included, at their worst?
Fuck, that got Lucien nervous too.
"Mom and dad are going to find out soon." Dominic had finally calmed down enough to at least talk. He wasn't shivering, rocking in place or whatnot anymore. "I am afraid of what they'll think."
Ah.
Yeah…
Fuck.
"They will understand." Lucien spoke confidently. But did he feel like that? No.
Oh, Lucien could parade himself in a dress and high heels around like a whore in heat in the middle of the street no problem. He could pick a fight and get his every bone broken. All of those things he had no problems with.
Hell, he'd do far worse if he thought it necessary. Again, Lucien was acutely aware of himself, and he knew just how many would see him considering the lengths he was willing to go to do what he thought was needed.
But disappointing or worrying his parents? Making them sad or angry at him for something serious?
Never. He'd rather just die.
Dominic and his family were everything to Lucien. When his own blood brutalized and rejected him, Dom became a brother and his parents became Lucien's own. There are debts that last a lifetime and then some.
"They are going to be afraid." Dominic went on, already knowing much of his brother's way of thinking. "We haven't exactly been much better, Lucien."
Ain't that the truth? Lucien frowned at the mere thought.
Jack might not care right now. In fact Lucien was sure Jack didn't give a shit. Why would he? His mom was back, Emily was making sure it stayed that way, at least for now, and if all worked out there could be a way to stay in touch with Sarah even after she got redeemed and ascended to Heaven thanks to Emily providing a link with Jack still on Earth. For Jack, trying this, no matter the collateral, was just a win win.
Lucien could respect that. In fact? He did.
But Jack wasn't looking at the biggest picture. The big picture? Sure. In fact Lucien was sure he had taken a gander at the whole.
Family comes first though and, again, Lucien respected that.
"Demons may need humans alive." But Dominic, while generally shy and nice, was also used to planning for the worst. "But who says they will not just subjugate?" Lucien nodded at the question he had in his own mind. "They may feed on us in some way, which means they will not likely want to wipe us out. Succubi need our lust, for example, and since Imps live mostly in Wrath, they may feed off of our own anger and aggression in some form. It is possible that every Ring of Hell needs that side of us to just keep on living…"
"But that is not the scary part." Lucien knew very well what his brother was thinking. "Charlie has brought people that seem willing to share, and she herself knows a lot, even if she is more aware of humans that fall to Hell." He hummed as he looked at the same spot Charlie had been sitting at yesterday. "The problem isn't the demons, funnily enough."
"Angels are very strong." Dominic nodded quickly. "They may be lesser, number wise. But what could humanity do if somehow they thought we'd throw our lot with Hell?"
Lucien snickered, even with his nerves on the fritz. "Sounds more tempting to play with the devil than the one above."
Dominic managed a grin of his own. "I mean…"
A thin lipped grin broke through Lucien's expression. "You want a Succubus, brother of mine?"
"Piss off!" At last Dominic managed a laugh. "But seriously." It didn't last, but he seemed to calm down after a few chuckles. "Something tells me we should be more worried about Heaven. Which is not exactly good because the vast majority of people are going to have a hang up with Hell itself."
And why wouldn't they? Lucien would readily admit that the ones more involved with this mess were the denizens of Hell, as proven by Charlie and her entourage. Heaven didn't even seem to care about Earth.
But that was the key point one should watch out for: 'Seem'.
Then again…
"Perhaps we are being too negative." Lucien knew for a fact this was wishful thinking however. But twisting things wasn't exactly out of his range of options. "This all could end up perfectly fine."
Dominic threw his brother a deadpan look. "You don't believe that."
Lucien didn't even try to hide it. "No, I don't." And Lucien, while not looking concerned, appeared to his brother as someone that had (for Lucien HAD) thought of all of this for far too long. "I am pretty sure shit is going to hit the fan something fierce."
"Heaven or Hell?"
"Heaven." Lucien didn't need to think twice. "Hell has something to gain from this. And I don't mean just the demons, but the human souls too." He was quick to point out. "Forget about family and all that. I mean, that would be important to many, it WILL be important to many more now that it is going to be known. But I am pretty sure that many of them, nasty or not, are desperate for a way out. And considering how Heaven seems to be more flawed than originally thought? A chance at coming back to the living world MAY help Charlie more than the possibility of redemption itself."
Dominic gave a few sagely nods, having thought something similar, if, in Lucien's opinion, likely less harsh. "I also don't think Heaven is going to take kindly now that we are going to shit on it."
"Are we?" Lucien lifted an eyebrow at his brother. "And I mean it. Are we going to shit on Heaven, or has it done a good enough job by itself?"
"Don't be a cunt. You know what I mean." Dominic huffed, getting to the point that his frustration and fear were bringing the anger he usually hid or bottled inside. "They have worked hard and long to keep all of this under wraps if they hid a regular culling of the population from someone AT LEAST tens of thousands of years old."
Lucien was about to speak before he hummed in thought. "How old do you think Emily is?"
It looked for a second like Dominic was going to say something in a more angry tone, but soon he looked as ponderous as his brother. "How old is humanity? Emily said evolution DID happen and that she was around since humanity's beginning on Earth…"
"If you want to be anal? Depends. IF, and I do mean *if* here, we go with what we could consider a proper modern human? I think it was… between three hundred thousand years at the lowest, while I heard the 'upper' guess was roughly half a million years or so?" Lucien wished he knew the real number now, because that was a question that was going to eat a lot of people up. "Because if we go with something like 'close enough' we may need to go up to three million years ago."
"Fuck." Dominic looked towards the stairs. "So, if we believe Emily, and believe our scientists… Emily is, at the lowest, what? From a hundred thousand to thirty times that age?"
Lucien nodded, then said the worrying part of this out loud. Age was not the problem here after all. "And who knows how many of those years have been spent in Heaven while her superiors were killing people at their own leisure. For all we know they have been culling souls whenever they thought it pertinent and didn't even inform Hell if they could get away with it."
The brothers kept silent for a second. At least until Lucien made his assumptions clear.
"Hell and its people may be a problem." He didn't exactly start gentle, but there was no way of being gentle about this. "Will there be assholes? Sure, it is Hell, but that is not what worries me, population density IS. There is going to be a LOT of people, which means a lot of pieces of shit." Lucien shook his head at the thought. It doesn't matter how nice and friendly a culture is. Bring enough people and you'll have crime of some kind. "And then we have some of the worst humans around. Hell WILL cause problems here, more so if this connection that has formed is kept open."
"Which it most likely will." Dominic and Lucien shared a look here. Dominic's guess wasn't so much a guess as it was an obvious thing that would happen. "If anyone thinks otherwise after Hell reveals itself, then they are idiots. You cannot put the bunny back in the hat after it is out. That is not how it goes. Besides: Hell is chaotic by nature. Going back into 'hiding', or away from human eyes, would go back to the norm it had BEFORE."
While both brothers nodded at their powers of deduction, it also got them to chuckle.
This had been a piss poor attempt.
"Not making me feel any better here." Dominic said between laughs. "And I am helping none either."
"Hey, not like I ever was any good at that." Lucien didn't need to point it out, it was more self deprecation than anything else. Still, not a lie. "But do you feel a bit more relaxed if nothing else? I know it wasn't exactly 'help' what I did, but…"
Dominic took a moment to answer. And when he did answer? His was, as sometimes it was with him, a philosophical moment. "I feel inevitability."
Lucien hated philosophical moments.
"What happens, happens. And what will happen, will happen." Dominic elaborated. He wasn't calm, or accepting. In fact Lucien could see Dominic was immensely afraid and hoped to make things 'change'. The problem here being obvious: None of them knew what could be changed for the problem to go away. "The best we can do is simple: Prepare."
Chin on knuckles, legs crossed, and elbow on the table, Lucien looked at his brother with a level glare. "You are aware that someone that didn't know you as well as I do would think you are fucking with them. Right?"
At least Dominic had the dignity to blush and look away with an embarrassed smile.
Shy and generally quiet with most people, but extremely dangerous if he felt the need to be, described Dominic very well. But that was because of moments like this: Dominic could be in extreme distress and Lucien would help calm him down. Most of the time Lucien didn't even do that good of a job, really. Fuck, Lucien had very few problems taking credit from things he DID, for he was no humble man. But this was not so much a thing he did as a thing he 'caused'.
See, Dominic was like this far too often. He could get very worked up, easily in fact. Was there a reason for it? Fuck if anyone knew. The shrink had said Dominic was perfectly fine, mentally speaking, so he should've had no problem there. Best guess? Partly hormonal, considering his body was a bit particular too. If Lucien was to hazard a guess? Testosterone levels made him very aggressive, something he kept down and worked through with games, being with his family and friends, and generally focusing on something else.
But that caused stress, and stress piled very fast. As such, from time to time, Dominic got worked up. Sometimes it was for a good reason, more often than not it was some stupid shit. The end result every time? Lucien was there to talk with him and Dominic would either shimmer down somehow, or have one of these fucking phylosophical moments of his.
Though today Dominic HAD a good reason to be worried. Was it a really important reason that would lead to utter destruction? Hopefully not! But it was something that was going to be a problem no matter what after Charlie and Emily had crossed over.
This shit was going to happen, and Dominic had good reasons to be worried.
But he shouldn't. And he shouldn't because he was right: Whatever happens, happens, and it WILL happen. So the better idea is to try and prepare.
"Look, Dom." Lucien sometimes got fed up when his brother did this, though. And today he was just happy it happened because there were real problems there to eat at them. Such a horrid thought, but Lucien had a good reason to think this. "I am happy to know this time you aren't trying to chew your nails 'till you hit the bone for no reason."
"I promised-."
"And I know you promised, yes." Lucien spoke softly after his brother turned around quickly to face him. "But we both know that is not something that is going to go away. That is not the problem here though; that worry is." Lucien glared at his brother. "If we can't solve it…"
Dominic made a face. "I know. It is always the same: I either solve the problem, or focus on something else. When I get worried it may go away for a bit with one of my 'moments of clarity'." Dom's voice made Lucien chuckle, only to get a glare from the larger brother. "But I know myself well enough, Lu. It is going to come back."
"And we both know that 'solving' a problem in this case is not going to happen. That, and ignoring it is going to be impossible." Lucien nodded quickly. "But you tend to forget there are more ways to fix a problem than the obvious one, brother of mine."
Lucien couldn't really complain, though. After living his whole life with Dominic, Lucien had found out that, despite his biological parents being massive pieces of shit, or at least his mother (though his father being a pathetic piece of crap and easily moldable probably made him no better), ending up with Dom hadn't been bad in any way. In fact it probably had made sure both of them developed much better than they would have alone. It is not the same if you live apart from someone after all, and Dominic, for as nice a child, boy, and now young man, as he had been, had a hard time sharing things with his parents.
That is where Lucien came in, and that is how Lucien, even if he didn't really do shit, always managed to help his brother. Just, you know, being there and all. Hearing Dominic was useful in many ways, because while Lucien wasn't perfect when it came to delivering the words, support, or physical help Dominic needed, he could usually point out other venues his brother had ignored.
Or wanted to ignore.
"So, to make sure they don't find out when it is too late, by mistake or because the Armageddon is coming, we have a simple solution fit for all: You need to tell mom and dad." Like the obvious solution here.
"Me?! Why me?!" Dominic, unsurprisingly, looked distraught. "Want me to have a panic attack or something?"
"Because *I* don't want to tell them." Lucien was blunt and very much serious as the two exchanged glances. "I think they are better off not knowing for a while longer, and if I tell them I will not be as delicate or as serious as you. We both know they don't deal well with my behavior when it comes to dropping a bomb on their doorstep."
And that was being very gentle. Lucien could make even the best situation turn into a powder keg. He loved his parents deadly, but in many situations they were like oil and water.
He would never change them for anyone else, but you know; 'too much of a good thing' isn't just a phrase.
"That, and you are the one with this worry." Lucien expanded. "If I do it, even if I manage to deliver it without my usual bull, just for your sake, you aren't going to be happy about it. You'll start eating yourself thinking 'I should've done it' or 'I was a coward' or-."
"I know!" Dominic hissed through his teeth. "I…" He took a deep breath and hid his face behind his hands for a few seconds. "Lu. Do we have some spare time left?"
Lucien gave the screen a quick check for the time. "I'd say fifteen to twenty minutes, if they are slightly late."
Dominic wasted no time getting up. "I am going outside to give them a call."
Lucien was both proud of his brother for taking so little coercion to do what needed to be done, but also slightly worried. "You sure you should do that now?"
"If I wait until after the stream I may chicken out." Lucien groaned as Dominic walked up the stairs. Yeah, a bit of cowardice with this topic would be warranted. "So I may be a bit late. Can you keep everything going by yourself?"
"Bro, we are basically guests in our own event." Lucien deadpanned as his brother turned to face him. "There is a crapload of people keeping an eye for bad actors here. We are basically part of it because we were here first."
An unreadable expression came to Dominic.
Lucien had seen that before, and usually for the wrong reasons. Not because there was something wrong going on, but because Lucien, or Jack, had said something that Dominic knew wasn't true but could not prove. It was as if Dom had a gut feeling about something but couldn't put it into words, and Lucien never knew just how to word what he was seeing on his brother's face.
However, as quickly as it happened, it went away, with Dominic shaking his head and nodding. "Yeah, you are right. I suppose I am just worried." That said, he grabbed his phone from his pocket and started scrolling for either their mother or father. Lucien didn't know who Dom was going to try and get, but either option would end up being stressful. "Just… give me a few minutes and I'll be back."
As usual when one of these events took place, Dominic was exceptionally quick in getting out of dodge. Lucien managed to say exactly nothing before his brother disappeared and left him with the words almost going through his lips.
"Fuck."
Well, not ALL worlds were kept down.
Look, Lucien loved helping his brother, but nine times out of ten THAT face came out because Lucien had fucked up and no one knew it yet. In most situations that spoke of a bad time in the making, which was already a hard pill to swallow since it almost always came to be when Dominic was already feeling like shit and this, in turn, made Lucien feel even worse than shit because, somehow, he had said something that was either prophetic, or was going to lead to that shity momment.
Bottomline as far as Lucien was concerned? He hadn't helped Dominic any of those times. He had just placed a timed explosive where said timer only said 'Guess'.
A sound came from the computer.
Lucien had half a mind to ignore whatever the fuck was trying to call for him, about to start a pity party in his head before getting back to checking if everything was ok or if anyone in the chat had something important to say. But something pushed him to open his eyes now and check what in particular was trying to get his attention.
A message.
A private message in Order.
A private message in Order with an account that had no name and whose words seemed to flicker between words and… what the fuck was that? 0s and 1s? Runes? Sigils? ALIEN FUCKING LANGUAGE!?
Okay, Lucien was interested.
"I have a proposition for you." Lucien read aloud. It took him a second, and a blink, before he chuckled and mumbled to himself. "Oh hoh, you little shit. This smells like I should be getting out of dodge. But after Dominic left? Either I dive in or I know this is going to fuck me up later."
This would be one of the few times that Alastor would find it vexing to lack technological means. The Aggregate alone would not be sufficient to get through whatever effect this conversation had on surveillance, and his own methods of following everyone had found this conversation dull until the last moment.
Lucien would traverse through this conversation and its machinations alone. Whether it would help or hinder everyone, or just him and those close to him, was something the young man only had as a secondary concern.
* Earlier - Hell - Hazbin Hotel - Gina *
Gina Silvercrest was a very simple woman. You wouldn't believe that for a moment if you saw the things she crafted or liked to dress up as, but she was.
Right now she was dressed in white, looking more like someone of high social status in the Victorian era with that corset, high heels, long dress and that hat of hers, but she was very simple as a person. She just liked to play the part in real life and in her head, the part of someone that rose to the highest position, or the part of a pauper if the mood hit. Gina was, much as she enjoyed just designing dresses, an actress first and foremost. That is how she had survived, that is how she had begun doing what she did, and that is what drove her.
To act, but not as the protagonist.
"Is this really necessary?"
Charlotte was the centerpiece, Gina was here as a side dressing. Vaggie was far more important, and the Latina was trying not to hurl herself out of the building right now. The only one that needed not suffer Gina's ministrations was our dear Imp, but Claudia wouldn't utter a word, lest these ministrations coming from the evil Succubus befell her too.
Maybe that was too much? Eh, Gina allowed a tittering laugh to escape her lips. Who cares?
"Gina? I can't… breathe…"
The Succubus blinked, then let out a little gasp. "Sorry!"
Charlie had suffered at the hands of Gina, that was for sure. A corset was needed, and while Charlie was a thin woman, she still had meat where it counted, so her chest was being squeezed in. That part was the most cruel, yes. But everything else?
Well, picture Alice in Wonderland, but more akin to Madness Returns, then put a spin of Hell to it.
Long sleeved carmine colored fingerless gloves that allowed for Charlie's claws to show. Manicured as they were, they did look beautiful AND intimidating, all part of the look. A dark tiara on her head, a body that looked like thorns and five dark fang like spines going upwards all worked for intimidation as much as they did keeping Charlotte's hair in place. Black high boots, white kneeshocks, a dress of red with a long skirt that had black at the front, with the Morningstar family crest (an apple and a golden snake) emblazoned on it. The description likely didn't make it justice, not without seeing her finally smiling after Gina got the corset just right and everything was in place, Charlie's hair perfectly primed for the part with the Princess of Hell doing her best to show none of her worries.
"Better now?" Gina asked at last as she gave another onceover to the woman. "No one would tell at first glance, but your tits are huge, boss."
And there she went and fucked it up.
Charlie just snorted, showing that she herself didn't mind. Even Claudia let out a grin and Vaggie didn't seem about to say anything against the comment. After all, Gina wasn't telling lies here.
"Well, mom's genes. That is all I'll say. Well, that, and magic in clothes comes very handy. I am sure you can relate."
Charlie twirled in place in front of her mirror as Gina blushed a bit. The Succubus DID know; her assets were already obvious, but it was a bit too much when she got naked. Ignoring that, Gina frowned a bit as they spoke of clothes. Taking her stuff to Charlie's room was not optimal, considering Gina had her tools and everything else in HER own room, but today they had time, preparation, and Charlie wasn't a mess. So really, other than a small annoyance, this had gone well.
Clearly Charlie thought the same as she smiled after she was done checking herself. "It looks nice."
"Could be better." Gina made a 'so-so' with her hand. A creator was always meant to criticize themselves, just not too much. "But I think this captures the effect you need to give this first PROPER appearance, not one that derails in two seconds."
Vaggie dislodged herself from the back of the room, desire to jump off momentarily abated. "And what is she trying to evoque here?
It was strange for Gina to see an exterminator outfit that wasn't trying to make anyone's life miserable. Then again, was it the same outfit anymore? Hard to tell.
Donning a long ponytail, this had been the one time Vaggie had changed her hair in a long time. Apparently she hadn't touched it at all since she was pushed into Hell. Much the same, she hadn't touched the Exorcist uniform, but that had changed, and at some point Vaggie had found the time to do her own thing with it.
First clear thing to see? The skirt was gone, as was the angel satin and other materials that made the upper and outer sections of the ensemble. Only the one piece jumpsuit was left behind, and instead of being all black, Vaggie had made sure to place a large white 'X' that went front and back. Her hip section had been decorated with a thin red line, white ones creating a singular 'M' with the middle around her pelvis and the sides going down her thighs. The long gloves had also been completely whitened, much like her boots, though all these changes had left her neck mostly exposed when compared to the original design, so at some point she had decided to add a red cloth choker that Charlie had given her to the ensemble.
It looked damn good and, considering it was still mostly heaven crafted material, it probably was damn sturdy too. Perfect to look nice AND go into combat.
Gina hoped that wasn't going to be the case, though it DID give the appearance she wanted it to.
"A land of wonder." In fact the 'Alice in Wonderland' aesthetic was there for a reason, and Gina made it clear. "Hell may be inhospitable and cruel, but that is because it is a very Darwinist approach: The strong and the clever survive. The rest not so much." Gina walked around both women like a hound, eyeing Charlie and Vaggie for any imperfections, her tail moving in rhythm with her footsteps as she found herself 'in the zone'. "That may be horrible for most people at some point, but it is also a land of adventure for so many more! And for many humans? It will likely be more inviting than dull life on Earth."
Charlie made a face. "Even if it could kill them?"
"Especially because it could kill them!" Gina answered with far more pep than Charlie clearly had expected. "Charlie. Humans do not work with rational thought most of the time when it comes to their desires. Food, water and comfort? Sure. But many want mystery, danger, fear, adventure, risk! Believe me, I know."
"We believe you." Both Vaggie and Claudia said in unison, the Imp now next to Vagatha and offering the woman a fistbump that the angel gladly took.
"Oh screw you two." Gina chuckled as she fawned over Charlie for a moment longer. "But I am being serious here: You will have a chance to offer another glimpse of Hell to so many souls out there, Charlie. You may be my boss, but I hope you can grant me this one favor and make people look at us with wonder, not fear."
At least this seemed to make Charlie smile. "Do you have confidence in our success then?"
Gina, sadly, didn't. "Not… much."
"Oh…" And Charlie quickly deflated. "Is it because of-?"
"I just don't trust that you are going to be allowed to try in peace, Charlie." Gina cleared the air before it could get worse. "I would bet money when I say that humans, demons and angels alike are going to have a problem with this. I'd love for it to go smoothly, but I am pretty sure no one here thinks it will be anything other than a bumpy ride."
Charlie's downcast expression quickly morphed into determination. "I am very much aware of the danger. That won't stop me."
While this brought Gina's smile back up, it quickly became bitter. "That makes it both better and worse." Because the admission was nothing new, but it made her feel ashamed. "But I still don't think you'll make it, Charlie. At least not exactly how you want it to."
Whatever fun was there, no matter how thin or forced, just left the room.
Everyone there knew Gina wasn't wrong.
"I know we won't get what we want." Charlie didn't even flinch. She was sad, and hurt, not because she thought Gina was betraying her by not believing in her, but because in a few days she had finally accepted that something else, not just redemption, would need to happen. "But this will be a start. I know Heaven is likely not going to accept the result, no matter what it is. Betterment. Full fledged redemption. How easy. How hard. It won't matter."
Gina looked at Claudia first, then at Vaggie. While the angel had pursed her lips, clearly having had a conversation about this with Charlie, Claudia seemed just to nod, albeit with some level of surprise.
The meaning of Charlie's words clicked in Gina's mind then.
"You plan on winning the mortals over, don't you?"
"I don't plan on that." Charlie shook her head. She sounded sure of herself, hopeful, but also resigned at the same time. "I plan on proving redemption is a reality. I plan on showing Heaven that they are wrong. I plan on fulfilling the promises I made." She took a deep breath here. Gina could see that Charlie didn't want to say the next words, but she felt the need to. "And I prepare for the day something will go wrong."
"Plan for the best, prepare for the worst." Vaggie gave a quick nod. "You wouldn't believe how hard that can be."
"But it is a necessary skill in leadership." Claudia was quick to affirm as she looked at her princess, something Gina did as well. "Mistress. You must understand that doesn't mean you will be ready for the blows that are to come."
"I am aware." Charlie huffed as she pushed her tiara back in place. Usually she'd have Razzle and Dazzle around to keep minute things in place, but the fussy little things would've been a bother to Gina, so Charlie had dismissed them for now. "There was a time to be timid and recoil. I have tried to be as nice and as gentle as I could. I won't stop either, I want to make that clear." Charlie turned to face everyone. "But I cannot pull all my punches. We are committed to this and the alternative is bowing down to a genocide that is going to increase in number and intensity. If we do that it won't take long before the more common hellborn are included, not just 'accidentally' targeted."
Gina had thought about that, and so had Claudia. The Imp didn't look bothered or surprised. This was, after all, the logical conclusion to it all. Yearly Extermination could cull human souls, but only a little. The numbers replenished far faster than they could be killed nowadays.
But what if you made that event more common? Sooner or later the number would be controlled.
Or would it?
In truth the more powerful souls would, at one point or another, work together to keep themselves safe. Selfishness or not, they would at some point stop fighting each other and vying for power, instead moving into a survival mindset that would give some pushback.
Even then the numbers would become very small, comparatively speaking.
Then in would come the Imps and all other demons living in Pride. Their numbers would increase without the violence of Sinners, or their own, to cull them. As Pride becomes more peaceful, if still chaotic, it would thrive beyond what it already had. It would, in turn, offer more and more hellspawn the chance to create a proper life instead of being fucked over by the worst of humanity, instead having the nicer Sinners (that didn't get screwed over) becoming more prominent in the more demonborn dominated society of Pride.
In a few decades, perhaps more, the hellborn would become the target from Heaven. And considering how things would've been to that point? What right would the one in charge of ALL of Hell to decree that the culling of the population should stop? In fact, at that point, Hell's population would explode beyond its growth now.
With all the crap going on in Pride the place was just as fertile, if not more, than Wrath. If all the regular fighting became lesser, if the disruption to infrastructure, farming and general development became just the usual Hellish shenanigans, then Wrath would remain Hell's breadbasket, but Pride would become the top in processing, crafting and, well, everything else. Pride would turn into the true crown of Hell.
And this would feed the worry and paranoia of those in Heaven.
Hellborn would be hunted like animals sooner or later. Gina was sure of it.
"I have had to think more and more as a leader. Far more than I wanted to. It came far too fast, I don't like it, but it has happened." Charlie spoke again, but by now she was looking towards the city. There was something to her form now, clothes and all. She did look a bit like a fantasy princess. But a princess, fantasy or not, was still someone that could, at any point, be forced into a position to choose. "I may feel more connected to Sinners than common demons. Perhaps it is because of my mother. Perhaps the romanticism I see in my father's tales… But that doesn't mean I only think of them."
Charlie turned around quickly, a frown clear on her face. It wasn't anger, or resentment, more like fear of what could be. "This worry includes humans too." She took a few tentative steps. It was obvious to Gina that Charlie wasn't used to this getup or kind of shoes, but she did marvelously to not allow it to show much. "I know all of you may be wondering 'why humans'. Yes, even you, Vaggie."
Vaggie seemed to recoil a bit at being singled out, a drop of sweat clear on her brow, quickly followed by fumbling with her words. "I-what-Charlie?"
"You don't think highly of most people, Vaggie." Charlie deadpanned. She wasn't angry, just clearly unsurprised at her girlfriend trying to deflect. "Or are you going to deny it? After all you told me it is quite clear you don't exactly think all that highly of humanity. I won't judge here; you went through your own hell on earth, but I hope that won't bring up any resentment."
"Of course not!" Vaggie was quick to say, even if she had to catch herself. Gina saw the clear signs of someone that wanted to say more than they did. "I-unless it has to do with a very particular person, it won't be a problem."
Charlie stood there for a second, glaring at her girlfriend, until she relented and nodded. "I may not like it, but I understand that desire for revenge. Just don't go out of your way if you find out she is alive."
"I won't, Charlie, I promise." And Gina could see Vaggie did mean it. The woman was squeezing her hands into fingers at the thought of hurting someone in particular, but her loyalty to Charlie was greater than whatever desire for revenge was there. "But, if she approaches for whatever reason… I reserve judgment for what she did." Though the intensity in her eye was perhaps just as strong as Charlie's own. "And I mean it, Charlie. I love you with all my heart, but if she gets close to me, I will take what is owed."
Gina shared a look with Claudia. Neither had been informed of the nitty gritty behind Vagatha's history, so they didn't know who Charlie and Vaggie were talking about, but it was clear that it was someone that likely deserved the old Hell treatment.
I mean, Gina hadn't been around Vaggie and Charlie much, but while she knew Vagatha had one of the most horrid temperamental outburst you could find in Hell, and that was saying a LOT, it was much easier to understand when you judged her as an Exterminator. The damn Exorcists were angels of vengeance, whether heavenborn or winners, so being made to have a hair trigger response was unsurprising.
But this felt like hatred that was there long before Vaggie was made into what she was today, and Charlie was happy to just nod and accept it. Considering how much she didn't want violence, it meant that she knew enough not to say no.
"That probably will not end well for us, but I won't deny you deserve that much. But that doesn't mean I will be happy if it happens." Charlie quickly pointed out. "It will also bite us in the ass when it comes to the public."
Vaggie's eye narrowed down. Not at Charlie, at something Gina couldn't see. "Oh, believe me. The public will thank me." And when a very wicked smile parted her lips, Gina could hear mutter something in Spanish. "Quizás ensartarla como un cochino sea demasiado, pero todo se verá… Tal vez hasta le pida ayuda a Alastor."
Gina understood precisely nothing, but considering how Claudia seemed to tense up, obviously having understood, Gina decided Vaggie's anger was enough to make one of Lucifer's aides worry.
"SO! Gina." Gina would never admit to this, but the moment Charlie accepted that her girlfriend was likely to murder someone in the mortal world, she just turned and faced the Succubus with a big smile. "That is partly why I need your input more than you may think. And why I wanted to talk to you about something else before we left." Charlie offered a small smile, strained, but a smile nonetheless. "I hadn't thought we'd have a topic like this, but it makes things easier."
"Huh?"
"I know you all are aware, but have no interest in just using humans." Charlie made sure to clear that as quickly as she could. In public this would've made her flush and stutter, but here, among people that were close or should grow close to her, she seemed more confident. "It may look to many like they are just going to be a tool. Sadly, I am afraid that may be how many people see it."
"Of course you wouldn't, boss. I doubt you have the gumption and meanness to make anyone a tool even if you wanted to." Gina was quick to nod again and again. For a second she thought she would insult Charlie, but the Princess of Hell just chuckled. "So what do you need? What topic does this relate to?"
"Simple: You need to keep us all centered here, and hopefully help me not make too many mistakes." Well, that was unsurprising, or so Gina thought. "All of us know that I only wish to help, but despite what we were promised yesterday, it is likely that others will indeed think I am here just to use mortals willing to side with us as some kind of foul trickery." The shy smile on Charlie told Gina all she needed to, but Charlie still explained further. "We have had two haphazard events and today is going to be the first serious one. Hopefully. That may aid us so I can explain better… or make a fool of myself. Hopefully not the latter. I don't want to pressure you, but I'd like it if you keep an eye out for all four of us. Except Sarah and Emily that is. I am pretty sure they will have a much easier time with people than us, or at least they should have less problems with optics and Sarah hasn't been away from the living world enough to lose touch with it."
That made sense, or at least Gina thought so. Sarah was a criminal on Earth, but she paid with her own life. That would make her dubious at best, but still passable.
Emily? The girl was a cinnamon roll. Naive and sweet, and Gina hadn't been around her much. The Seraphim was likely going to have the most leeway.
People originating from Hell were going to have a harder time.
Gina could only assume there was one thing Charlie needed from her while on camera. "So you want me to intervene whenever a topic may be too… sensitive? Or when you put that foot of yours in your mouth?"
"Hoof, and hopefully I won't. That is why I want you to act as a mediator for us, in a sense." Charlie came closer to Gina, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Before I asked you to help us with human knowledge. Much as I enjoy caring and studying Sinners and their mind to try and help them, their world is a different beast altogether. And Vaggie doesn't exactly like her old home much." That remark made Vaggie huff and look away with a pout, but she did not try to deny it. "Now I think that, outside helping us with many preparations, you would work much better like this. Which is why I'd like to offer you a position that is MORE, not 'just' someone to fix and prepare my clothes and events." Gina saw Charlie smile, but all she felt was dread crawling up her spine as Charlie spoke. "I know calling you 'ambassador' or anything like that may be too much, but since you like Earth and humanity as much as you do, and you want this to work for multiple reasons, including your own survival as a Succubus, I thought it would suit you if you feel capable of filling such a position." Charlie offered a tentative, hopeful smile. "I know it may be asking too much, though. You only acted in front of people when you needed to, and this would put you in front of the whole world almost all the time, but… What do you say?"
Her first reaction?
FUCK NO!
But Gina didn't say that. She opened her mouth to yell as loud as she could, but she didn't.
Was her reason that this was Lucifer's daughter, that she had been given this post by Asmodeus himself, or that all of those present could flatten her in less than one damn second if she let that outburst out? Not really. In fact, as far as people go, hellspawn or not, Gina didn't exactly fear for his life if she said no. With many other demons and human souls? Oh, she'd be fucking terrified.
It was more a pragmatic kind of thinking that got her to stop. Her mind all but made time slow down for a second, much like when she was tailoring one of her dresses for her plays way back when, or when she cares for Asmodeus' own clothes nowadays.
Gina was horrified at the thought of being the face of Hell in ANY damn capacity. That she was already going to be part of Charlie's effort was both a dream come true, and a massive nightmare realm she couldn't escape from. Gina loved playing and acting for people, if only because it is what she was good at and what kept her fed for so long. But this was just so fucking much for her to bear with just a smile!
And yet Charlie had offered her the greatest dream she had ever had: To actually visit the world where all the stories, games and fantasies she adored came from. The place where all her inspiration and hope had originated. If she had just known of Hell, with no access to many of those old books and comics she had scrounged back when she was a child, then Gina was sure that she would've been Lust deprived in her younger years. She would've died of starvation, the Succubi way.
She would've turned into a monster and tried to suck people's life essence before being killed.
And if she had really bad luck? In that state she would've managed to cross over to Earth and cause an incident.
Feral demons were no longer common, but some still appeared when they were pushed to the limit mentally, physically and spiritually. Gina's own life could've ended like that and, in a way, she had humanity to thank for her continued existence. Not only because, as a Succubus, she needed their lust, but because escapism, as much as it could do harm, could also do good, and it was the human mind that kept her safe.
So there was a level of temptation to just say yes to Charlie. There was also a pants staining fear that made her stay still in fear of any movement pushing her over the edge.
So Gina was also not going to sugarcoat it: She also was very close to shit her pants in fear.
"You don't need to say yes now, Gina." Charlie, however, squeezed her shoulder gently. The Princess of Hell was offering Gina a gentle and understanding smile. "I know this may be a bit too much to ask, but you have been sincere with me. You don't think this will end well, but not because I am weak or incapable. Even if you said you thought THAT was the case, at least you would've had the guts to tell me to my face, instead of doing what most do and just whisper when my back is turned."
Gina could only chuckle. "So you are offering me a cushy, powerful, and far too important for my blood position because I had the balls to say shit to your face?"
Again, Gina could be many things, but she was raised on the streets. Her language could be incredibly fine and her behavior well mannered in a professional situation, but considering she was meant to be close to Charlie and everyone here? Being brutally honest and direct didn't come with a filter.
"Considering how many people to this day either suck up to me or just wait to try and backstab me?" Charlie sounded terribly tired though, but clearly seemed happy with this change of pace. "I prefer if you tell me that 'I am a sack of shit' if you ever think I deserve that."
"Hah!"
That got Gina to relax a little bit. It also almost got her to drop her glasses, but Charlie pushed them back before Gina could react. The blush on the Succubus' face was, for everyone else, a cute sight. For Gina? Mortifying.
"I'll keep that in mind, Charlie." Gina spoke after her blushing cheeks had gone away. "But right now I think I can only keep doing what I did the other day. I may interject and help, but… I don't think I have the courage to be Hell's face. Besides, that is more your job."
Disappointment could be sensed in the air, but it shouldn't have been a surprise.
Claudia would do many things she hated because it was her duty to serve Charlie, and she probably had a lot more confidence than she let on. Vaggie was Charlie's girlfriend and, despite her secrets, she had been on her side since she learned of Charlie's lofty goals. Charlie herself was doing a lot of things she clearly hated in hopes to achieve her dreams.
Gina was just a street rat that had gotten lucky. This was not one of those nice fantasy novels where everyone is super powerful or ready for everything. The young Succubus was a timid wallflower most of the time.
Being in front of the whole damn world was already asking far too much of her.
Charlie let out a little sigh. At least, despite feeling let down, Gina saw that her new boss wouldn't press the matter. "I thank you for that much at least. Both sincerity and your willingness to still help. Most people would've just left me in the dust, or taken advantage. I appreciate that both you and Claudia had been candid enough with your words and-."
A ringtone.
The melody of 'Poison', from the Triple V's studio, made everyone, Charlie included, shut up until she got her phone out.
From what Gina had learned, Charlie had a ringtone for everyone in the hotel. Angel Dust? Poison. Not because either of them liked it, more so after Charlie was told HOW Poison came to be, but because Angel had made it clear that he wouldn't call HER directly unless it was important.
And something you hate makes you check things out far faster than something you love. Not a healthy approach, but Charlie had made it clear that if Angel said 'Only if needed', then he *meant* it.
"Angel?" Charlie seemed at a loss. She and most of the residents had talked so little since this began that Gina could see how weird it felt to Charlie when Angel Dust began to talk on the other side of the phone. Still, the spider had left early, with nary a word, and after a few days Charlie wanted to hear him for more than a minute or two during breakfast. "Yes, I mean, I wouldn't be happy if you left for a few days, but I can understand. Though… Would you mind if I ask why?"
Gina pursed her lips, and she wasn't alone. Claudia narrowed her eyes and Vaggie seemed conflicted about something. Not surprising.
Asking for a few days away from the Hotel that tried to help you become better was like inviting every single vice and problem back into your life. Even with the people living here being monitored (just enough, Charlie wouldn't invade anyone's privacy here), most of them still did a few questionable things.
If we are being generous with 'few' and 'questionable' being used instead of 'far too many' and 'downright criminal'. Gina would give the princess credit though: Everyone here, even Alastor if what Gina knew about him was true, had become much better. But that meant little when you consider just how easily a Sinner can go back to being a piece of shit.
"... Why didn't you tell me?"
Those words weren't ones of hurt or rejection, but ones of surprise.
Gina thought that perhaps Angel, or someone else, would see what Charlie had been doing as basically rejecting them all for a much easier person to manage and help. If Angel wasn't calling to say he was quitting the program. Then what was he telling Charlie?
"No, no! I understand. Yes… So she called you? Uhu… So she thought you could help? Yeah… Ah, so that is why you went for your brother. No, no. I understand it probably took a bit for you two to calm down… I see. So at least you are on okay terms, at least when it comes to this? Good, good… And your brother didn't get through your father?" Charlie was speaking quickly, Angel clearly being, well, not frantic from what Gina could hear from the phone, but perhaps slightly agitated. "Oh… oh… I see… I suppose that is… noble, of him?" But even with Charlie's candid nature it was clear some of the things she was saying couldn't come out as genuine or comforting. "Okay, fine! I think he is a dick from all you've told me, and this is no better."
Okay. That? Gina didn't expect that. But it was comforting to see that Charlie could drop the act sometimes.
"Stop laughing, you ass!" And her outburst were, if you asked Gina for her sincere opinion, far cuter than they were intimidating. "Look! Shaddup!" Though the moment she stomped her feet it felt as if a tremor ran down the whole building. Just how strong could Charlie be? "Angel, be serious. Will you really come with us next time?"
Oh? The spider was going to come to Earth? From what little real contact Gina had, it felt as if Angel Dust had no interest here. It was what had made her think of it as him leaving the program.
"I know that you say you don't care, Angel, but fighting with your dad is not doing you any help." Another pause. Gina had to wonder what having parents to fight would feel like. Even Claudia, much in the same boat as Gina was, had had parental figures. Not by blood of course, but she had. "Angel, usually I am far less blunt, but not this time: Stop it." Gina's ponderings died the moment Charlie took a firm stance. "We both know this is hurting you. I have tried my best to be a helper and a friend. I know that has indeed aided you, I think you are much better in every sense thanks to steps you have taken yourself. I did my best not to push you to do anything, just encourage you, and you have done so much better! Even if you had this particular reason to talk to him, you HAVE begun to reconnect with your brother. Your dad… is something for later."
Do you know a clear advantage of a sharp, elf like ear? How sensible they can be. It could also be a disadvantage, but with practice, a smidge of magic and natural honed curiosity, you can pick a lot of things and ignore others without a fuss.
Right now Gina just felt awful for hearing a hint of a sob coming through Charlie's phone, so she quickly focused away from there once more.
"I am sorry about that…" Charlie was, unsurprisingly for all those that knew her, very fast in saying sorry. "But you dropped a bombshell on me and tried to play it for laughs as always. We are way past that point, Angel." At least that part was true. Jokes and all were okay, but considering the topics Angel seemed to hide with humor and a haughty demeanor? From what Gina had been told, it was just a fire retardant, one that was running out. "If I want to help you and you want to get help, then we need to come to an understanding. No more joking the pain away, okay? We need to talk. Properly talk."
A moment went by. Gina saw Vaggie about to approach his girlfriend, only to take a step back. Right now it was obvious Charlie needed to keep herself as it was, and Vaggie's support would perhaps soften it. Charlie needed Vaggie's trust and support right now, not a kind gesture and a smile. Meanwhile Claudia seemed deep in thought. Why? Gina didn't know, but the Imp was usually aware of more than she let on.
Claudia had made it clear to Gina the day they first met.
"Thanks, Angel. And sorry for being so pushy with this." Charlie allowed Angel a few seconds for a reply, smiled and kept going. "So… You said you had shared this with someone else. Who was it?" A humm, a nod, and a surprised face. "Pentious? Why?" Now it looked like Charlie was beyond curious. "Him too?" There seemed to be a small explanation after. "Huh. I see… That is… sad. Is that why he has been busy?" Another quick reply. "Oooooh… a gift? You think that it… Ah. I see." Charlie bit her lip before asking. "This wouldn't be the case with Husk too?" But her face fell quickly at the answer. "Yeah, I guess you wouldn't know. I doubt anyone could get him to spill the beans if he didn't want to. How did you find out about Sir Pentious, though?" Angel explained quickly. Probably with very little detail, considering how fast it was. "Well, that shows why Pentious can't really lie to save his life and why you should STOP trying to get into everyone's room. At least the guys." Okay, that laugh was loud enough to be heard even if Gina tried not to. "Angel. Stop trying to perv the other residents." And that laugh was even louder. Even Charlie smiled. "But seriously for a moment. Are you sure you want to do this?"
Gina thought Angel would start speaking right away, but the spider took close to a minute of mumbling, starting and cutting out, then finally mustering his courage. That in itself was very weird. Bravado and appearances aside, Angel, from what Gina had been told and knew of his persona on video (Hey, she was STILL a Succubus, and horny), he was very direct, except when hiding something with his act.
Right now it sounded more like Angel was completely lost, or at least unsure of what to do. What could've made him like this? At worst Gina thought that, if he ended up staying and working along with Charlie during her new attempt, it would just be him in Hell instead of going to the living world.
Curiosity was one of Gina's main traits, likely bred from all her fantasy reading, acting and creations. But while she was great at creating when she had inspiration, Gina was not really the most imaginative person, much to her dismay. She could work with existing designs to make 'new' and beautiful things, and she was a smart cookie. That said, she wasn't likely to get close to whatever Angel was telling Charlie here.
"I see. Well, I can promise you I will make this known today." Whatever it was, this was not the result he had hoped for, clearly. Gina could hear Angel almost pleading on the other end of the line. Charlie wasn't deterred, though. "Angel, you said you wanted to do this, right? For her?" Her? Gina didn't know any woman in Angel's life, professionally or otherwise. I mean, other than Charlie and Vaggie. Wait, didn't he have a friendship with that one Cherry Bomb? "Yes, it was a low blow. I am sorry about that, but we both know you are going to back down, or push this back as much as you can, if I let you. Yes. I know you wouldn't do that to your sister, but I think this will work better like a bandaid: Do it in one go."
A sister? Well, not in Hell she wasn't. Gina knew for a fact that it would be publicly known if that was the case. At least if he had a good relationship with her. Angel Dust's family was a known, and largely ignored topic, for those that followed the pornstar.
It was a very depressing topic, and a very common one in Hell. The only surprise was how many of Angel's family members were still around after so many Exterminations. In fact MOST of his family, and it was not small, was still around.
And he fucking hated 99.9% of those related to him. No one was sure WHEN Angel had shared that info, but the net, both in the mortal world and in here, never forgets.
"Then you are okay with it?" Charlie made a face. "Fine, so 'okay' is not the word. Yes, I know it will be awkward, but you feel capable? And I don't mean you acting and hiding stuff, Angel. I mean actually capable of having regular talks if this happens. This is not going to be a one off, for either you or Pentious." It seemed that Angel had to think for a moment before delivering a reply. "Well, I'll take that 'maybe'. Better than nothing, or a lie. Besides, we don't know how it will go anyway. I won't fault you if… Yeah, I know it won't START well, most likely, but it is how it ends that matters." Angel spoke again, Charlie gave a few nods and 'uh huh's, then offered a smile. "Good. I hope everything goes well Angel, but we have time to prepare. I doubt we can have this happen in short notice, but a few days may be enough." Angel seemed to say something else that stopped Charlie from going further. "Oh! Of course. Do take care and see you tonight, okay?"
With that, and a small smile on her lips, Charlie hung up.
"So." Vaggie finally moved in, clearly curious. Not that Gina or Claudia were any better, each for their own reasons, as they all crowded around Charlie. "What did the horny one want to talk about?"
Charlie hummed as she looked at her phone in thought. "You said you didn't interact with most angels, Winners included, much, right?"
Vaggie tilted her head slightly. Gina understood the confusion. "No. Why?"
"Do you remember a particular Winner we saw in Heaven while Emily and Sera were showing us around?" Charlie finally turned to face Vaggie and the rest. "Spider like, very close in looks to Angel Dust?"
Gina had to wonder there. How likely was that to happen? A million people could die in a moment, like they do in wars or some events, and perhaps a small percentile, stupidly close to absolute zero, would look like one another.
That is why, if you saw a soul that closely resembled someone else you knew, you usually remembered them and the little details that made them different. Not because it was important, but because in Hell you wouldn't find it out of place for someone like that to try and take advantage of the likeness. Clearly, as Vaggie looked focused after Charlie brought it up, Vagatha was no different.
"Well, yeah. But it is not that hard in Heaven to look like some of the, eh, 'prettiest' Sinners here, only brighter and less jagged." Vaggie began, clearly thinking back, recalling something she had been told a long time ago. "From what I learned in Heaven, you can change your appearance almost at will. It takes time of course, and, unlike in Hell, Winners don't tend to 'earn' their looks from the things that landed them in Heaven. It is more like they craft their own bodies to be as they want to, instead of a punishment to make them repulsed and regretful, at least for a time." Vaggie motioned to her own body. "Of course there are limits. You cannot look as you did in life. Close? Sure, but I don't have my original black hair, tanned skin and eye color. There must be a degree of separation. I was never told WHY, it isn't like that was useful for my 'job'. Still, that seems to be an absolute rule up there, much like it is almost impossible to look perfectly human for most Sinners here." Finally, Vaggie shook her head. "Anyway what does that have to do with Angel? Other than the look alike I mean."
"Apparently she is not a lookalike. Remember how he barely talked much during our sessions unless he was really drunk or high strung?" Vaggie nodded quickly. Angel was usually silent, unless he wanted to bitch and moan. "Well, I know you zoned out most of the time, but Angel sometimes DID open up. A few of those times he talked about his sister, how she was one of the few nice people in his life and how she didn't partake in the 'family business'." Charlie took a deep breath. Whether she was nervous or just wanted to take a second, Gina didn't know, but at least she looked okay. "Angel just told me that his sister called the day Emily got here and got us this chance, she even sent him a picture and answered a few questions to confirm it was indeed her. That is why he has been behaving 'off' as of late: He has been working on something."
That made the pieces connect frighteningly fast.
"Angel's sister is a Winner?" Gina found herself unable to contain the curiosity. She wasn't the BIGGEST fan of Angel Dust, but this was the kind of curiosity you would die to know before anyone else.
"Yes, her and their mother, apparently, though he spoke a lot more about his sister than of his mom with me. Perhaps a few more members of their family are in Heaven and he didn't want to share, or is unsure, we'll see if I can get more out of him later." Charlie mulled what to say for a second, Gina could see the doubt there. It was painfully clear that Charlie wasn't sure what to share, but the princess quickly made up her mind. "Apparently the men of their family, and many of their women, didn't live that long after Angel had his… accident."
"Overdosing on purpose is not an accident, honey." Vaggie pointed out. She sounded very sour about it too. Gina didn't know this, but as a whore, Vaggie had seen many of the few people she called friends do exactly the same. "It is a way out of a crappy situation. An even crappier way out in fact, more so if it doesn't 'work'. You can end up with a really fucked up brain, or body, if you survive it"
Charlie grimaced. Considering her age, and her experience, she had likely seen that first hand. "True. I won't lie and say it is any good, but still." And she clearly didn't want to think about it. "Anyway, that is not the point here. Apparently Molly, and yes, that IS her name, Vaggie, I know you missed that too,-" Vaggie shut her mouth, obviously about to ask a question. Gina couldn't fault her, after all 'Angel Dust' could hardly be a normal human name. "-and her mother did manage to survive whatever ended their family. Their mother passed away shortly after, sadly, but Molly managed to live around two more decades or so. She even managed to have a daughter, but only one."
Claudia seemed curious about this. "Only one child?"
"They survived, but not unscathed." Charlie clarified. "That is why Angel and Molly's mom did, sadly, pass on early. Molly herself got a nasty wound, though Angel didn't tell me more than that. All I know is that Molly apparently told him that having more than one child would've been dangerous. In fact she risked a lot by having just one daughter. On the outside she looked fine, but the wound had messed up her insides."
The Imp woman didn't look surprised. "Angel Dust's family was one of the many mafia groups from their time." In fact it looked like she found this to be expected. "Be it a rival family or a police raid, or even local vigilante justice, it wouldn't surprise me if Angel Dust's sibling and mother were either shot or worse. I bet he didn't want to share that kind of detail with you just in case." And Charlie looked to be conflicted. Was he to be grateful or angry at this detail being kept? Gina could only guess, after all it was something they would need to talk about for therapy's sake. "That they survived, if for a time, is no small feat. More so considering Miss Molly managed to keep the family going."
"Yes, and that determination of hers kept her going even after death. Molly had been trying to find her family for many years and, apparently, after much trying, Molly finally got her hands on something that could connect with Hell!" Charlie was excited. Only, not with happiness.
Oh, please, don't misunderstand Gina here. The woman could see Charlie having a smile as wide as a mile and then some. After all, and Gina would gladly admit she felt the same here, it was nice to see someone reconnect with family. The Succubus had dreamed many times of having her parents in her life, even if that dream died a long time ago. It would've been nice to go back in time and somehow fix whatever had been broken for her to be alone. Knowing someone she liked, if only as a fan, had managed to get a chance to get back in touch with not only his sister, but apparently his brother too, made Gina feel all fuzzy inside.
But this also had connotations.
Someone from Heaven had means to get in touch with Hell. Not through that fucking Embassy, or the clock towers that were disseminated ALL over Pride and signaled the arrival of the Exorcists for the Extermination day hullabaloo, but through what most likely had been a simple call.
If there was a way for Heaven and Hell to connect, then there was a way for wayward souls to at least get in touch with their loved ones. Simple reasoning dictates that, if this indeed was the case, then there was a way for people to at least have a chance at reining in their worst impulses by having SOME positive moments in their afterlife. Adding this to Charlie's attempts would make her job, the idea of redemption, or at least the hope of being just a decent person, far more likely than just simple hope and a prayer.
Until you think long and hard about it. Because this discovery meant someone had had the chance of making people in Hell LESS shit for the longest time. And what they did with that power that could, oh, I don't know, make Hell less of a crapsack world?
Nothing.
Granted, there was nothing to prove that contact with people that were less of a mess would make souls in Hell better. Fuck that. In fact Gina would be, well, not a devil's advocate, more an angel's one on this topic, and say that there was a big chance for people in Hell to accidentally (or purposely) corrupt those in Heaven and make them fall or something.
But the point to make was not that this could help or hurt, not that it was good or bad. The simple problem was much more base than all that: Technology to keep people together existed, and instead someone wanted it to be kept secret so Heaven and Hell remained as separated as possible.
And Charlie clearly wanted to kill someone for this. Also? No. Not in a joking way. Charlie's eyes had changed color and her horns were trying to pierce her skin. It looked like some kind of tail was poking from under her skirt too, much like her nails were growing and her fangs were superseding her otherwise normal (if sharp) teeth.
To say she wasn't happy was like saying 'the sea is a little wet'. An understatement, something obvious and also a very, very stupid thing to say.
"Ignoring the ramifications of THAT little discovery for a moment." Though her twitching made it hard to do as asked. Charlie at least managed to rein in her negative impulses, for now. Gina couldn't help but wonder when the boiling point would be reached. "We at least know there could be ways to have people from Heaven talk with their family and friends in Hell. Not like we can do much with that right NOW, but in time."
"But-"
"Not now." Charlie didn't sound harsh when she cut Vaggie off, but she was firm. "We may find more about that later, and finding if this is common enough in Heaven to make it more widespread will need a lot of care on our part. Angel said it took his sister a lot of asking before she found someone that had anything like this. For all we know this is a suppressed bit of tech that angels want to keep away from Winners."
"It would make sense to have something like that." Claudia pointed out. The Imp woman had a pensive look on her face. "Some Exterminators, like Lute, rank the highest in the Exorcist forces. At least a few of those masks would have communication devices to reach Heaven."
Vaggie frowned at the mention of that woman, but Gina also saw her hurting for another reason. "Mine and most of those working with me just had aids for combat, targeting and a few other helpful programs and applications."
"Which begs the question. Who did Miss Molly ask for her to find this kind of device?" Claudia didn't mull so much about this as she made an open accusation. Not against Molly, Gina was sure, more along the lines of someone setting this up. In fact Claudia turned to face Charlie. "Mistress."
And Charlie was clearly awaiting a particular question. "Yes?"
"What did your friend ask of you?" Gina was sure she knew by now, and Claudia likely did too, but the Imp was nothing if not thorough. Assuming also wasn't good enough. "Considering he was talking about his living family, I can hazard a guess. But I'd like for clarification."
Charlie didn't doubt the purpose for that call was hard to guess, her face said it all, but she still explained. "Molly's daughter should be alive at this time. Elderly, yes, but alive. Apparently, after finally getting in touch, Angel has spent most of this time asking around." Charlie bit her lip a bit here, mostly in frustration. "His reputation gets him a lot of information, even if I hate that he keeps it up. At least it has been useful enough to confirm that Molly's child isn't here, and Molly knows her daughter isn't in Heaven either."
Vaggie didn't seem impressed. Did she like that Angel got off his ass to do a good ded? Sure, but there was another thing. "That is not all he gets when he is out of our sight."
"I am willing to believe that he hasn't gone around having sex and doing drugs while doing a favor for his sister." Charlie, as always, tried to put the best spin she could on things. "Besides, as he has been in contact with his brother regularly for this, something tells me he has tried to AT LEAST take the diplomatic approach and *not* be high, or reeking of sex, while dealing with his brother."
"Uh huh. And you forgot to mention how his father was a product of his time, which translated to 'He is raging homophobe'?"
Wasn't that excessive and unneeded? Gina was the kind of person that really couldn't give less of a shit about the raging hateboners of others, so long as it didn't bother her. *SHE* had her own little hate fantasies here and there. Want to hate guys that suck dick? Go ahead. Want to hate girls that munch carpet? Go ahead. Wanna hate the trannies, shemales, futas and all those other things? Again, have your fucking fill.
But do it on your own fucking free time and in your own fucking place.
Do you think people would care in Hell if you went out and did a Heil Hitler? No, no one would give a shit. Well, some would, but who gives a fuck? The man has a motherfucking Art Gallery somewhere down here. And you know what? Some Jews down here go visit. For the lols? Perhaps. To get into fights? A lot of the time.
And no one gives a shit.
Look, let's focus: Gina's point? Everyone hates something, and it sometimes has to do with the time they were alive, bad rubs with someone, preconceptions or them being stupid or willingly retarded. And here, in Hell, no one gives a fuck. You may end up killing each other a few times if those things come to light, but sooner or later you come to a simple realization: You may hate or dislike less things than someone else, or just different things. You are no better, just different.
It was stupid to think about that right NOW, sure, but Gina had to say she was enjoying her time at the Hazbin Hotel, and the people. But there were bad rubs here and there. She would more often than not keep this down, and she wouldn't mention it to anyone here unless it ended up becoming a problem, but when it came to Vaggie? Her hypocrisy was a bit grating to be honest.
On the other hand? Gina had seen, worked with, and had had to tolerate, or even live with, far worse people. Besides, she had asked Charlie and, apparently, Vaggie had toned it down a lot when compared to her first year here.
So hey, who knows? Perhaps at some point the singular angel at this hotel would end up taking that spear off her ass.
Coincidentally, Charlie seemed to think the same right now.
"Vaggie. I am going to have to put my foot down like I have with Angel." Charlie crossed her arms. "I feel the same as you do. People should be understanding of others' likes and dislikes… to a point." And clearly nonconsensual shit and certain 'preferences' clearly made it past Charlie's vast patience and understanding threshold. Gina had never thought she'd be so scared of Charlie as she was when the Princess volunteered for Gina to test the waters and see what topics pissed her off. "Mister Henroin, much as I dislike him thanks to all that Angel has told me and what little I have found out by myself, is a man of his time. He is someone I could meet, perhaps talk with from time to time, but certainly not someone I could tolerate through long periods of time."
Vaggie frowned, somewhat chastised after Charlie's words, but not put off. "You know it is far more than that. Angel complains about a lot of petty shit, and yes, I ignore a lot of his crap. But there are things he has every right to complain about. We both know his father was also at least verbally abusive towards his wife, and physically towards him when Angel didn't try to hide his preferences."
"By modern standards? Yes, Henroin is horrible. But I am pretty sure you haven't gone to Little Italy here, have you?" When Vaggie made a face of disgust, one Gina understood perfectly (For the Succubus HAD visited Pentagram City's Italian district), then shook her head, Charlie got all she needed. "Look, they live in the times of prohibition, gangsters and all that 'fun stuff'." And yes, Charlie did air quotes. "It is a different way of doing things, and if you think the women are oppressed or the like… you really do need to see how hard a rolling pin flying through the air can kill a Sinner." Charlie grimaced at a clear memory. "Rebuilding a body from that has to hurt a lot."
A smile made it to Vaggie's lips, even Gina had to chuckle and Claudia grinned. Probably all of them had their own reason to find it humorous, but then again you'd find this beyond horrible or shocking in the living world.
"I am not making excuses, Vaggie. Henroin is not a good man, never was. Angel may have dodged many attempts to work things out in therapy, but you are right in that he was loud with his wife AND Angel himself. Let's also ignore that he is a gangster, triggerhappy, controlling and all that, because down here it is, sadly, 'okay'. I hope that, if we ever meet, it won't turn into a regular thing, talking with him I mean." Charlie sounded tired for a second, more so when she finally got to the point. "Problem is, it may become a thing. After all, strict and backwards as he may be with certain things, he does care for his family, in a way… And Molly's request to Angel is to try and contact her daughter, Bianca, so Bianca can call Molly. Perhaps keep in touch."
Problems and other crap aside, this made Vaggie's hand go to her chin in thought. Claudia was on the same boat, if far less obvious. Even Gina began to think about the possibilities. This would translate in one permanent two way street to Heaven after all.
A big first step not on Earth, but on Heaven, that had nothing to do with Emily. And one contact that would make Heaven look like shit if they tried to stop it. Molly clearly loved her brother and Angel at least cared enough to try and help her. It was unknown if they DID have a good relationship, or if he was doing this as a favor to his sister, or if there was more to it, but Gina (as a fan, of course) wanted to think positively of Angel Dust.
"Maybe it will be a pain dealing with that man." Vaggie finally conceded with a tired exhale. "But I'd like to see what kind of person Molly is. Besides, helping her find her daughter and keep in touch with Angel would be helpful in many ways; It may aid Angel keep off the fucking streets, it may get more people interested in trying a bit harder to get in contact from Heaven to Hell, and may tell us just how common this technology is."
"It would also be a kick to Heaven's more conservative members." Claudia pointed out with no little amount of acid in her words. Still composed as always, but happy to deliver some damage where she could.
"That is most of the angel class." Vaggie sounded tired just by mentioning that, but at the same time the thought made her smile. "Not saying I would mind seeing them reeling at the thought of it happening. And I would very much enjoy it when this DOES happen, because it will at some point now."
"Uses aside."
The voice of Charlie was laced with a fine coating of disapproval. Gina could see the Princess was clearly thinking of possible future opportunities, she HAD to, but her priority lied between 'helping a friend' and 'making things better' first and foremost. Gina respected that, she liked how Charlie tried to be nice. Not all demons had to be dicks at all times, in fact it was damn tiring, and those that were friendly or welcoming were a treat to have around.
Charlie was just that, but on meth. "We will do this to help good people." She made a pause, everyone looking her way. "Okay, to help a friend. I am unsure if Bianca is a good person, but I know for a fact that Molly is. Angel never made light of any of his family's actions, at least when he talked about them. His mother and sister were two of the few that he had very few things to say about, in the negative at least. Well, other than his sister being a bit of a 'bimbo', as he puts it."
"Being born with little to want and very little to look forward to other than being a 'pretty little princess' would do that to you." Gina pointed out. "I mean, a 'Mafia princess' isn't exactly a wrong description for someone in that kind of life and position. From personal studies, and a few interviews, I found out that such women end up two possible ways most of the time: A beautiful, but usually semi innocent, help to expand the family's reach and bring in new blood, or a ruthless mastermind that will likely initiate more bloodseed than most men in her position."
While everyone was giving her looks, it was Vaggie the one to ask. "And you believe that shit?"
Gina, however, glared at Vaggie. "Vaggie, my dear. You don't know much of your own history, do you?"
This made Vaggie look at the others, as if for support, only to get a shrug as an answer at best. So, Vaggie asked. "What do you mean?"
"Princesses, courtesans and queens. Those women, across history, have started almost MORE wars, and usually they were bloodier than those made by men." Gina felt the need to push her glasses back up. Very anime. The fact that she thought those words herself made her cringe, but only internally. "Women are insidious and venomous creatures, when it comes to humans. Men? Men will stab you on the chest, the back and then cleave your head with an axe. They can be sneaky, but they are usually far less conniving than the female sex."
Vaggie's eye had widened. "That is bull."
"Read history, Vaggie." Gina tittered. "I am a nerd, I will admit that much. But I am also learned, and by my own hand no less. Then again, I am learned BECAUSE I am a nerd. A human history and culture nerd."
Vaggie turned to Claudia. "You know lots of shit. Is she fibbing?"
"No." Curt and concise. Did you expect something else from the Imp? "Imp women are usually brutal and direct, just like the males. Human women? I'd prefer a battlefield. Not saying your men are any better, but there is a lot of backstabbing with those that lack the proper tool to do it." Vaggie could only deadpan at the Imp, with Claudia smiling the thinnest smile she could offer where other demons would be laughing aloud by now.
Gina opened her mouth to speak, mostly to counter Vaggie as the latina was about to go on a tirade the moment Claudia's smile got to her. Charlie beat them both.
"GIRLS!" A clap echoed through the room. It wasn't as powerful as the Princess of Hell could have made it, but it was enough to have everyone's ears ringing. "I don't want this to devolve into a pissing contest. Much less considering we have been here far too long with this and that. We barely have fifteen minutes left."
A quick glance at her watch while the others did the same told Gina that Charlie was alright. Didn't they have almost an hour and a half before? They hadn't been…
Ah, the dressing up.
"So, are we all okay now?" Charlie got a few nods in answer. "Good. Now, just to make things clear before we move out." Charlie turned to Gina. "I meant it when I offered you the chance, Gina. You and Claudia will be a great help, you ARE great help already. Both of you deserve far more than you got right now."
While Claudia said nothing Gina was more daring as she spoke. "We are just doing our-." Or she tried to, because Charlie had a finger to her lips in a second.
"Bullshit." And said princess was far too serious as she said this. "Neither my father nor my uncle could order either of you to do this. They could ask and 'suggest', perhaps even push a little bit. But let's be sincere here: In Hell you do not inherit your position, Gina, you know this as well as I do. I am 'The Princess of Hell' because I am the only one whose perky little buttcheeks can sit on the Low Throne while having the power to do anything with it. To REALLY be the Princess of Hell I need to *prove* that I can be." Charlie took her finger away. "And until then you could've told uncle Ozzie to stuff it, Gina, and, by all rights, you would've been the one to enforce your will on him. Shit, even you, Claudia, could've rebuffed my father on the grounds that his own daughter had no claim to the throne by power and deeds alone. You know the laws better than I do!" And, as Charlie shifted her attention to the Imp, it was made clear that her own ignorance of her own land and rules had infuriated her for a long time now. "By all intents and purposes I have no lands, no powers and no nothing, just my parents to 'leech' from."
Gina didn't know where it came from, but she felt incensed. "That is not true and you know it, Charlie. You are much more than a tittle, and that is a fact."
Claudia didn't move from her spot, but she had a fierce look on her face. "Mistress, I'd prefer if you don't put yourself down like that. Though you are partially right." Gina threw the Imp a glare, to which Claudia lifted a hand to ask for a second to explain. "Your title is more a given than a real one, Mistress. But when the time comes you will truly be a Princess, if not the Queen of Hell. It is not an 'if' that lingers over what you are for Hell itself, it is a 'when'." The Imp then shrugged. "And even if it wasn't? We are here of our own volition. You wish to make Hell better. Smaller minded people may not see it, but we do."
The smile that grew on Charlie's face made Gina's own mood better just by itself. It was surprising that so few in Hell could see Charlie for who she really was and just how much she brightened your day just by being there.
… Was that sappy? It was sappy, right?
Eh.
"Thank you, you two." Gina saw Charlie catch herself mid attempt at a lunge. What for? Probably a hug. She was that affectionate, that much Gina had learned, but it surprised her to see Charlie reign her usual response. Instead she composed herself and spoke again. "But back to the topic: I meant it too when I said I don't wish to use the mortals, and I do want you to help me make that point clear, Gina. I don't think I will fumble that bad, but…"
"I am not as good as you think I am when it comes to talking with people, Charlie." Gina chuckled, more an awkward laugh. Gina was a Succubus and naturally charismatic, but as she had proven today on a few occasions, she wasn't the best talker. "But I do promise to help as best as I can."
"More than enough." Charlie nodded to her and then turned to Claudia. "Claudia, I-."
"I'll cut anyone off if things get to be too much or too invasive for you, Mistress." Claudia nodded, as if already knowing what was to be asked of her. "And push you if you get caught up. But I know you won't."
That confidence seemed to be more than Charlie had in herself. Still, Charlie's smile was sincere as she thanked the Imp. "Thanks, Claudia. That only leaves one of the most important tasks."
Vaggie seemed somewhat surprised as Charlie faced her. "What else would there be for me to do?"
"Being my support? My rock?" Charlie approached her girlfriend, taking Vaggie's hands into hers. "Don't you think that is important enough?"
"Well, y-yeah." Vaggie blushed, letting that golden glow throw. Gina wanted to know how she had suppressed it for three years with Charlie at her side, but the Succubus wasn't going to be that inconsiderate. "But I would do it regardless. Both before this mess and even more now. I know we aren't still…"
"We are far better than the first day. Just need to heal a few more things." Charlie had no problem with letting her brow touch Vaggie's own. Tender as the moment was, Charlie didn't hide the seriousness of it all. "And one of them is your mom."
"Char-."
"That is what you were going to ask about before I stopped you last time, wasn't it?" Charlie pressed. She didn't sound harsh or pushy, but this was the kind of question that needed to be answered. "Or did I read you wrong?"
"..." Vaggie closed her eye before taking a deep breath. "No, no you didn't." Then she mulled something before opening her eye again. "It is selfish to try and get this out of helping Angel, isn't it?"
"Yes." Again, Charlie didn't sound harsh, just sincere. "But understandable. This is a far bigger ask than Molly may realize. Angel, ironically, knows just how much this may mean… both good and bad."
Vaggie took a deep breath as she looked at Gina and Claudia. Both hellborn were curious in their own way, more so Gina considering she was the one less aware of it all. But would the Succubus ask?
No! She wasn't an idiot.
And yet she was trusted enough to be allowed to see all of this. Was Gina lucky, or unlucky? That was a question the Succubus couldn't really answer as she tried to keep her tail quiet and controlled. This kind of drama was something she enjoyed watching on the TV, and now she was part of one herself! Fearful and anxious as it made her feel, she wouldn't miss this for the world.
Then it got better, because neither her nor Claudia were asked to leave when Charlie gave her girlfriend a chaste kiss on the lips, making Vaggie's focus go from the two 'others' back to the Princess of Hell. To be here as they opened up was meant to signal something.
Yet Gina couldn't help but doubt she was meant to be part of it at all.
"This hotel is for healing, Vaggie." Charlie spoke softly, unaware of Gina's little inner doubts. "You need to heal too. You need to find your mother, or at least know of what happened to her if…"
She caught herself in time, but everyone was aware of what Charlie meant. There was a chance, a CHANCE, that while Vaggie made it to Heaven, her mother ended up in Hell. And if that was the case?
Gina didn't need to say more. Everyone here knew the most likely outcome.
"But she will be there. I know it." Charlie squeezed Vaggie's hands, her girlfriend smiling after Charlie's previous doubt made her wither for a second. "If she was indeed half as good a person as you said, she MUST be in Heaven, Vaggie. And with Angel's own progress, despite how much you two fight, he'd be more than happy to help you get better just as you have been helping him."
Vaggie, while in higher spirits now, seemed to recoil. "I am a shitty friend, Charlie, and not much better when it comes to me being a girlfriend."
"You have faults, Vaggie. We all do. Me, you, my dad, my mom, your own parents, everyone." Charlie allowed let go of one of Vaggie's hands to caress the latina's cheek.
For a moment Vaggie flinched, not from the contact, that much was obvious. It was just how much it hurt to be reminded of her own problems. Vaggie had clearly tried her best to hide them or work around them for far too long. They are like untreated wounds: They fester.
"I should be better, Charlie." Vaggie grimaced. "Just… I wish all that was supposed to be true of Heaven WAS true. I wish I had been a better person, a really good person. I don't know why I was allowed in Heaven, but it wasn't because I was 'pure'."
"What you were and what you are now is not what you WANT and will do your best TO be, Vaggie." Charlie tried her best to assuage her girlfriend's fears with a soft voice and pure sincerity. "If you try and you fail because you can't achieve it? Then at least you tried. But hiding is not something any of us can do anymore. So… Will you try when the time comes?"
Vaggie found herself nudging against Charlie's hand on her cheek with a smile on her lips. "Of course I will." But her eye wandered away. "But that will also require trying to find him, won't it?"
"Your father is part of all of this. He may still be alive, he may be here or up there, or he may not be anywhere anymore." Charlie took the hand down to lift Vaggie's chin. "Would you be able to live for all eternity knowing that you had let the last chance to talk with either slip through your fingers?"
Gina saw how much Vaggie wanted to say that she could, at least when it came to her father. The Succubus knew nothing when it came to that, but clearly whatever history they had shared for things to be as they were had to be, at the very least, something that survived death itself.
… Sometimes she felt that having no parents was a boon, and not a burden.
"It is so hard to say that I will try my best with this, Charlie." Vaggie breathed out before landing her face on Charlie's chest. The angel looked so tired and defeated it was hard to imagine her as an all destroying Exorcist. "Blind rage is easy. This? This is hard."
"But you will overcome, hon." Charlie hugged Vaggie, with the latina quickly returning the hug and squeezing a little squeak out of the Princess of Hell "And I will be there with you. Every step of the way."
Gina thought of asking Claudia if they should leave, non verbally of course. But before she could do much, and before the situation became much more intimate and reserved only for two, Charlie gave Vaggie another squeeze and broke it off as gently as she could.
"For now, a question." As they separated Charlie had intensity in her eyes that would've scared Gina shitless. Vaggie just held it and didn't blink away. "Are you ready for today? I don't think most of the fire will come your way, but we cannot have a break and run on today's meeting."
Not a second of hesitation. "Not running this time, hun. No lying, no evading." But there had been a time when Vaggie would've said otherwise. Gina could see the shadow of doubt there, even if its presence wasn't physically in place. Perhaps in the future, if something happens, but not now. "I just hope they don't murder me, in a fashion anyway. Too much bad rep my way may hurt you."
"No matter what I doubt I'll have the 'Daughter of the Devil' tittle hovering above me, Vaggie." Charlie rolled her eyes at the idea of having WORSE reputation than she did now. "I think almost everything we do can either make that reputation stay where it is, or get better. Just saying I am trying to do something nice for everyone is not going to make me gain support out of the blue. In fact I bet all the goodwill is likely going to Sarah, Jack and, most likely, Emily."
Vaggie let out a slight snort. "You thinking about the worst first instead of the best always feels weird."
"I have to let it out from time to time." Charlie shrugged. "Now. Are we all ready?"
No one had a negative response ready, for various reasons. Claudia felt the obligation and duty, Vaggie would not do her girlfriend dirty and flake out, and Gina was far too interested in the human world and this rolling drama to get out of dodge.
All of them had an out though, even Vaggie, and this was important to mention.
Lying was not Charlie's forte, and while no one, ever, would contend with her the position she was in, Charlie was truthful when she said that, in all of Hell's loose legality (and it was very fucking loose), she was not really recognized as the heir of Hell. She was, of course, by birth and power. But right now, considering what they were doing, and what she was asking for (technically speaking), any time she asked if everyone was up for something even the lowliest Imp with a proper job could tell her to fuck off.
And you know what? Hell would enforce that, unless Charlie used her own power to get people to move. It was only her charisma, and the fact that people liked to see this trainwreck keep on growing, that kept most people somewhat docile with her.
Somewhat.
There was one certain news anchor that would tell Charlie to fuck off to her face. Even if Killjoy had learned just how hard Charlie could punch even when keeping herself in check.
In the end it was worth to go along with Charlie's ideas. Both because the Princess of Hell truly wanted the best for Hell, for its people and those that were to come.
And, if you asked Gina, she'd tell you that the woman's smile was both beautiful and infectious.
Like an angel, in the most saccharine and idealized way.
…
Her last thought before they left Charlie's room? Gina needed to fuck. She didn't want to put it this way, but it was true. Shy as she usually was, and much as she preferred to not risk it and consume harvested Lust, it had been far too long. It was unhealthy for a Succubus to go this long without proper lust, and she was starting to see her coworkers in ways that she shouldn't.
Charlie, Vaggie and Claudia were, after all, off limits.
* End Notes *
Okay, so I thought I'd need to explain something before tomorrow's upload. So let's get this out of the way in case someone gets confused.
No, Charlie will not inherit the Low Throne just because.
While in this story it has been made apparent that it is the better course, and what the Sins would prefer (Both because family, nepotism and because they know Charlie packs a punch when push comes to shove. Only problem is you have to shove REALLY fucking hard), I have also made it clear that there are other nobles out there. Some, most, are Goetia and Goetia descendants (The rare few that there are, with most being simply reincarnations), while many are those that range from the very, and I do mean really fucking, few Imps and Hellhounds elevated to a powerful position, to the more common Incubi and Succubi, Selachimorphs (Loan Sharks), Possessors, Baphomets and so on.
Most of these people are far less long lived than the true nobles and see Charlie as a fucking joke, as do most of Hell. Oh they know Charlie could flick them out of existence, but that means shit to most of them. Do remember that demons are far more selfish in nature than humans and see death as something much less serious. They'd prefer to save their own skin, for fucking sure, but Charlie, as a ruler, may be seen as much worse than just plain ol' dying.
Plus, there are RULES in Hell, Chaotic or not.
The main rule is that the proper Kings of Hell, as in the rulers of the Rings, would not openly wage war with one another. Nobles can fuck each other all they want and use armies or agents to do so, but Ring based war is a big fucking no-no. It would hurt Hell more than it would aid it, and the land is LIVING and very much aware of it. Plus Lucifer didn't want his siblings fucking each other over for petty shit.
A rule that is just as important? In the case Lucifer was no more, or if any of the other Sins got kersplunked out of existence, viable candidates are to step forward and be voted into position by the remaining Sins AND all eligible nobles. This is a sacred ritual, forged in the really old times with blood, souls and a proper demonic pact, much like the rule above. As such, if Lucifer steps down and leaves his throne to Charlie, the consensus is that she will inherit it.
Because that is the only fucking smart move.
BUT! There is a chance she wouldn't.
A huge council would be formed, Charlie, as a candidate, would be voted in and, more likely than not, she would be chosen. There is a chance this wouldn't be the case of course. Most of Charlie's weight would come from her father still being alive, the Sins voting in her favor (intimidating many nay sayers) and many Goetia being aware of what she can really do. But if there was the case of some Sins not being able to make it to the council (Which, I warn you, would mean either imprisonment or death) or many Goetia changing their minds, then this would likely change.
And if her father was to be dead? Well, even with all the Sins there is a lot of people that would say 'Fuck this'.
Now, yes, this is a spoiler. No, it won't be spoken about HERE in this chapter. In fact it may take some time, if at all (It may be explained offscreen, depends on how pertinent it becomes), but the topic would take some time to explain and there are already so many questions most mortals want to know about that very few are going to give two shits about Hell's politics for a while.
For all intents and purposes though? Yes, Charlie will inherit the throne. This is just a way to make sure you guys don't overload with questions right now.
Or am I being a dick and foreshadowing shit :3? You decide.
